A pivotal moment arrived as the world converged in New Delhi for the AI Impact Summit 2026. For India, it was a source of profound pride to host leaders, innovators, and thinkers from across the globe, a testament to our growing influence on the world stage.
The energy was palpable. Representatives from over 100 nations walked among exhibits showcasing the very latest in artificial intelligence. But it was the sight of thousands of young Indians – their faces alight with curiosity, questioning, and dreaming – that truly defined the summit as the most open and democratic AI gathering ever held.
Throughout history, breakthroughs like fire, writing, and electricity have reshaped civilization. Artificial Intelligence stands alongside these, possessing a unique power to accelerate change at an unprecedented rate, impacting every corner of the planet within weeks, not decades.
AI isn’t simply about making machines intelligent; it’s about amplifying human potential. The core principle guiding our discussions was clear: AI must be human-centric, driven by the ancient Indian philosophy of “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” – welfare for all, happiness for all.
Technology, at its best, empowers people. We’ve demonstrated this in India with initiatives like digital payments and rapid COVID vaccination, ensuring no one is left behind. The spirit of inclusivity was powerfully present at the Summit, reflected in innovations addressing challenges in agriculture, security, and accessibility.
The transformative power of AI is already unfolding in India. Consider “Sarlaben,” an AI assistant developed by a dairy cooperative, providing real-time guidance to 3.6 million farmers – the majority of whom are women – in their native languages, improving both cattle health and productivity.
Similarly, Bharat VISTAAR, an AI-powered platform, delivers crucial information to farmers, from weather forecasts to market prices, empowering them to make informed decisions. These examples demonstrate AI’s potential to uplift communities and drive economic growth.
We must ensure that humans remain at the heart of this revolution, not reduced to mere data points. AI should be a force for global good, unlocking new opportunities, particularly for the Global South. To this end, India presented the MANAV framework – a blueprint for human-centric AI governance.
MANAV – meaning “human” – is built on five pillars: Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive access, and Valid and Legitimate applications. These principles are designed to anchor AI in human values for the 21st century and beyond.
Trust is paramount. As generative AI floods the digital landscape, the threat of deepfakes and disinformation looms large. Just as we label nutritional information on food, we must establish authenticity labels for digital content, fostering transparency and accountability.
India has already taken a crucial step, legally mandating clear labeling of synthetically generated content. We urge the global community to collaborate on shared standards for watermarking and source verification, safeguarding the integrity of information.
Protecting our children is a sacred duty. AI systems must be designed with safeguards that promote responsible engagement, mirroring the care we invest in education systems worldwide. We must prioritize their well-being in this new technological era.
Technology thrives when shared, not hoarded. Open platforms empower millions of young people to contribute to safer, more human-centric AI. This collective intelligence is humanity’s greatest asset, and AI must evolve as a global common good.
We are entering an era of co-creation, where humans and intelligent systems will work and evolve together. Just as the internet spawned countless new professions, AI will unlock unforeseen opportunities, demanding adaptability and lifelong learning.
I have unwavering faith in our youth. We are investing in skilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning programs, equipping them to become the architects of the AI age. Their energy and innovation will drive this transformation.
India, with its vast youth population and burgeoning technology talent, is uniquely positioned to harness the full potential of AI. The launch of indigenous AI models and applications by Indian companies at the Summit showcased the depth of our innovation ecosystem.
To accelerate this growth, we are building a robust infrastructure foundation. The India AI Mission is deploying thousands of GPUs, providing access to world-class computing power at affordable rates, empowering even the smallest startups to compete globally.
We’ve also established a national AI Repository, democratizing access to datasets and AI models. From semiconductors to applied research, we are focused on strengthening the entire AI value chain.
India’s diversity, democratic values, and demographic dynamism create an ideal environment for inclusive innovation. Solutions that succeed here can benefit humanity everywhere. Our invitation to the world is simple: Design in India, develop in India, and deliver to the world.
