Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where he presented India’s vision for a human-focused artificial intelligence future. Speaking to a large gathering of world leaders, technology experts, and industry giants, the Prime Minister stressed that AI must be developed in a way that benefits humanity, especially countries in the Global South.

During his speech, PM Modi called for the “democratisation of AI,” saying that artificial intelligence should not remain limited to a few powerful nations or companies. Instead, it should become a tool that helps all people and supports inclusion and empowerment. He warned that in the fast-growing AI era, humans should not be reduced to “mere data points” or treated like raw material for technology.

The Prime Minister said that AI must follow a path that keeps people at the centre. He explained that the goal should not be to make society AI-centric, but to make AI human-centric. According to him, technology should support welfare, dignity, and happiness for everyone.

To strengthen this vision, PM Modi introduced a new framework for AI governance called ‘MANAV’, which focuses on ethics, accountability, national data rights, accessibility, and legal validity. He said this framework can help guide the world toward responsible and inclusive AI development.

PM Modi highlighted that India’s guiding benchmark has always been “welfare for all and happiness for all.” He said the same approach must be applied to artificial intelligence. He urged global leaders to ensure AI remains under human control and does not become a system that harms societies or increases inequality.

The Prime Minister explained that the development of AI should not become a race where only the richest or most advanced nations gain benefits. Instead, AI must become a shared resource that helps improve education, health, farming, governance, and job opportunities across the world.

He said the Global South must not be left behind in this technological shift. According to him, if AI is made accessible and affordable, it can support millions of people in developing countries by providing better solutions in daily life.

PM Modi detailed the five pillars of the MANAV framework, describing it as a roadmap for the future of artificial intelligence governance.

The framework stands for:

M – Moral and Ethical Systems
The Prime Minister said AI systems must be guided by strong moral values and ethical responsibility. Technology should not be used in ways that harm society, spread misinformation, or create unfair discrimination.

A – Accountable
He stated that AI must come with accountability. There should be clear rules, transparency, and proper oversight so that AI decisions can be questioned and corrected when needed.

N – National Sovereignty
PM Modi stressed the importance of national data sovereignty. He said data created within a country belongs to that nation and should remain under its jurisdiction. This, he explained, is necessary to protect privacy and national interests.

A – Accessible and Inclusive
The Prime Minister said AI should be accessible to all sections of society, not just a limited group. He described AI as something that should act as a “multiplier” for development, not a monopoly controlled by a few.

V – Valid and Legitimate
He added that AI must be lawful, reliable, and verifiable. AI tools should work under the rule of law, and their outputs should be trustworthy and legitimate.

PM Modi said that the MANAV vision can become an important link for the welfare of humanity in the AI-driven world of the 21st century.

The AI Impact Summit 2026 is a six-day global conference being hosted in Delhi. It is being described as the first major global AI summit hosted in the Global South. The summit is based on the theme “Welfare for All, Happiness for All.”

The event has attracted huge participation, with over 200,000 participants from across the world. These include heads of state, global leaders, policy makers, technology experts, and some of the biggest names in the tech world.

Among the key personalities attending the summit are Sam Altman, Sundar Pichai, and Jensen Huang. The participation of such major figures reflects the growing global importance of the summit and India’s rising role in the AI sector.

PM Modi said it was a matter of pride that more than 100 countries are taking part in the summit. He added that it is not just a proud moment for India but also for the Global South, as it shows how developing nations are becoming active leaders in shaping the future of technology.

In his speech, the Prime Minister compared the AI revolution to some of the biggest turning points in human civilisation. He said humanity has seen major changes in history, from the discovery of fire to the invention of scripts and later wireless communication. According to him, artificial intelligence is the next major transformation that will reset the direction of civilisation.

He explained that AI is not just another new tool. Instead, it has the potential to completely change how societies function, how businesses work, and how people live their daily lives.

PM Modi said that what the world is witnessing now is only the beginning of AI’s impact. He added that the speed and scale of AI development is far greater than earlier technological revolutions.

In the past, major inventions took years or even decades to spread widely. But AI advancements are expanding quickly across different sectors and countries, he said.

PM Modi also warned that AI’s power must be guided carefully. He said AI has the ability to transform the world, but if it is left without proper direction, it could create disruption. On the other hand, if it is guided in the right way, it can help solve global problems.

He stressed that responsible governance is essential so that AI is used to support humanity rather than create chaos.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the strong presence of young innovators at the summit. He said it was encouraging to see young people taking ownership of emerging technologies.

He noted that every new technology in history has faced doubts and scepticism in its early stages. However, he said young minds often lead the way in accepting and shaping new innovations. According to him, the younger generation is already playing a key role in building the future of AI.

PM Modi concluded by repeating that the global community must work together to ensure AI remains inclusive, responsible, and fully controlled by human values. He said India’s MANAV framework is an effort to create a balanced AI future where technology supports humanity’s progress and happiness.