PM Modi presents India's ‘MANAV’ vision at AI Impact Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for a human-centric and ethical approach to artificial intelligence, urging global stakeholders to align emerging technologies with India’s ‘MANAV’ vision at the five-day AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi.Welcoming delegates to what he described as the “world’s largest and historic AI summit,” the Prime Minister said the event marked a defining moment not only for India but for the Global South. Representatives from more than 100 countries and leading figures from the global AI ecosystem are participating in the summit.

#WATCH | Delhi: At the #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Today at the New Delhi AI Impact Summit, I present the MANAV Vision for AI. MANAV means human, and MANAV Vision says M- moral and ethical systems: AI should be based on ethical guidance. A-… pic.twitter.com/KR3rz8pGet

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2026

“Welcome to the world’s largest and historic AI summit. This summit is being held in India, a nation that represents one humanity. India is the world’s largest youth country and a hub of the largest tech talent pool. India is the biggest example of a tech-enabled ecosystem; the country not only creates new technology but also adopts it rapidly,” Modi said during his address on Day 4 of the summit.
Pride for the Global South
Describing the gathering as a milestone for developing nations, the Prime Minister said the scale of participation reflected rising global confidence in India’s digital capabilities. “It is a matter of pride not only for India but for the entire Global South. The who’s who of the AI world is present here, and representatives from more than 100 countries have arrived — a participation that will take its ambitions to new heights,” he noted.He highlighted India’s rapid strides in building digital public infrastructure and its success in combining innovation with large-scale adoption.
Modi also lauded the enthusiastic participation of young innovators at the summit, calling their engagement a strong indicator of AI’s transformative potential.“The presence of the young generation that we have seen here creates a new sense of confidence. The speed and trust with which the world’s new generation is accepting AI is remarkable,” he said. He added that while new technologies often face skepticism, AI is witnessing unprecedented acceptance and ownership among youth globally.
Reflecting on the pace of technological evolution, the Prime Minister said AI’s growth has surpassed historical patterns of innovation.“Nobody had imagined that someday the whole world will be connected in realtime. AI is increasing human capabilities many times over. This time, both the speed and the scale are unprecedented. Earlier, it took decades to see the impact of technology, but today the journey from machine learning to learning machines is happening rapidly,” he remarked.In a call to action, Modi urged participants to rethink their approach to innovation. “Don’t ask what AI can do in the future, ask what you can do with AI,” he said.

#WATCH | Delhi: At the #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "...I welcome you all to the most historic AI Summit of the world...India is the centre of the world's largest tech pool...It is a matter of pride for the Global South that the AI summit is being… pic.twitter.com/LXQZEtSUaa

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2026

Democratising AI, Protecting Humanity
Emphasising responsible development, the Prime Minister warned against reducing humans to mere data points. “To ensure that humans do not become merely data points for AI, and do not remain limited to just raw material, AI will have to be democratised. Humankind should not be limited to raw material. AI needs to be given open sky but command should also be in our hands,” he said.He stressed the importance of embedding safeguards within AI systems from the outset. As generative AI tools produce vast amounts of text, images and videos, Modi called for watermarking and clear source standards to ensure authenticity and accountability. “These safeguards should be built into the technology from the very beginning,” he added.
The ‘MANAV’ Vision for AI
At the heart of his address was India’s ‘MANAV’ framework for AI governance and development. The Prime Minister outlined the acronym as a guiding principle for the AI-driven 21st century:
•M – Moral and ethical assistance
•A – Accountable governance
•N – National sovereignty
•A – Accessible and inclusive
•V – Valid and legitimate
“India’s ‘MANAV’ vision will become an important link for the welfare of humanity in the AI-driven world of the 21st century,” Modi said, positioning the framework as a bridge between technological advancement and human values.
Indian Firms Launch AI Models
Prime Minister announced that three Indian companies had launched their own AI models and applications during the summit, calling it a testament to the country’s growing innovation ecosystem.“The solutions that India is offering are a symbol of diversification. Any AI model that succeeds in India can be deployed globally. I invite you to design and develop in India,” he said.The summit, which has drawn policymakers, researchers, industry leaders and startups from across continents, is being seen as a major step in shaping global discourse around responsible and inclusive AI development, with India positioning itself at the forefront of the technology’s next phase.