Prime Minister Modi wants AI to be for everyone, not just a few

Prime Minister Modi wants AI to be shared globally, not kept by a few. He unveiled India's 'MANAV Vision' to make AI ethical and for everyone.
By Newsroom | Technology, India |

A Global Call for Open AI

The recent AI Impact Summit in New Delhi brought together global leaders and tech figures to discuss the future of artificial intelligence. A central theme, driven by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was the urgent need to "democratize" AI. He stressed that AI should serve as a "global common good," warning against its concentration in the hands of a few. This call for shared development and open access aims to prevent humans from becoming mere "data points" and to ensure AI benefits all of humanity.

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Context of the Summit

The AI Impact Summit, held in New Delhi on February 19, 2026, served as a platform for discussions on artificial intelligence's role in global progress. The event featured prominent speakers, including Prime Minister Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron, and industry leaders like Mukesh Ambani and Sundar Pichai. The summit's timing and focus highlight a growing global interest in shaping the development and deployment of AI.

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Prime Minister Modi introduced India's 'MANAV Vision' for AI, emphasizing its ethical and inclusive principles.

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Key Initiatives and Visions

Prime Minister Modi's address was marked by the unveiling of India's 'MANAV Vision' for artificial intelligence. The acronym MANAV, meaning "human" in Hindi, stands for:

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  • M – Moral and ethical systems: AI should be guided by ethical principles.

  • A – Accessible and inclusive: AI should be widely available and not controlled by a small group.

  • N – National sovereignty: Ensuring AI development aligns with national interests.

  • A – Accountable governance: Establishing clear rules and responsAbility for AI systems.

  • V – Value for humanity: AI should ultimately benefit people.

The 'MANAV Vision' aims to guide AI development towards ethical use, broad accessibility, and human well-being.

India's Stance on AI Development

India, through Prime Minister Modi's statements, positions itself as a leader in the AI revolution, advocating for a global approach.

  • Global Common Good: India believes AI's benefits are maximized when shared openly, contrasting with a view of AI as a confidential strategic asset held by specific countries or companies.

  • Open Code and Shared Development: The emphasis is on open-source AI and collaborative development, inviting global participation to improve AI safety and capabilities.

  • Empowerment over Dominance: Modi stated that technology, including AI, should be a tool for service and empowerment, not for control or dominance.

  • Testing Ground: India's diversity and scale are seen as ideal for testing and developing robust AI systems that can then be shared globally.

"We should make a resolve to develop AI as a global common good." - Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Perspectives on AI: Opportunity vs. Fear

A notable point in the discussions was the divided perspective on AI. Prime Minister Modi acknowledged that some view AI with apprehension ("fear"), while others see its immense potential ("fortune" or "opportunity"). India, he clarified, firmly aligns with the latter, seeing AI as a catalyst for progress and efficiency.

  • Efficiency and Impact: AI is expected to enhance work, making it smarter, more efficient, and impactful through improved design, faster development, and better decision-making.

  • Humanity's Role: The concern raised was that without democratization, humans could be reduced to mere data points, highlighting the need for AI to augment, not replace, human agency.

"Today there are two kinds of people—those who see fear in AI and those who see fortune." - Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Global Cooperation and Investment

The summit also saw significant commitments from the private sector. Jio and Reliance announced plans to invest ₹10 lakh crore over seven years to advance AI in India. Furthermore, OpenAI is set to become the first customer of Tata Consultancy Services' data center business, starting with 100 megawatts of capacity as part of a global AI infrastructure initiative. These investments underscore the growing economic and strategic importance of AI.

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  • Investment in AI Infrastructure: Large-scale investments signal confidence in India's AI ecosystem and its potential for global impact.

  • Multilateral Engagement: The summit attracted participation from over 100 countries, indicating a broad international interest in shaping AI's future.

Conclusion and Implications

Prime Minister Modi's push for AI democratization at the India AI Impact Summit underscores a critical global dialogue. The 'MANAV Vision' offers a framework for developing AI that is ethical, inclusive, and serves humanity. The summit highlighted the potential for AI to drive progress, but also the need for careful governance to prevent its concentration and to ensure it enhances human capabilities. India's proactive stance aims to position itself as a key player in guiding AI's development for the benefit of all. The ongoing discussions and private sector investments suggest that the trajectory of AI will be a central focus of international cooperation and technological advancement in the coming years.

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Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Prime Minister Modi say about AI at the New Delhi summit on February 19, 2026?
Prime Minister Modi said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be a 'global common good' and made accessible to everyone. He warned that AI should not be controlled by only a few people or companies.
Q: What is the 'MANAV Vision' that Prime Minister Modi talked about?
The 'MANAV Vision' is India's plan for AI. MANAV means 'human' in Hindi. It stands for Moral and ethical systems, Accessible and inclusive, National sovereignty, Accountable governance, and Value for humanity. It aims to make AI helpful and safe for people.
Q: Why is Prime Minister Modi pushing for AI to be more open and shared?
He believes that if AI is only controlled by a few, people might become just 'data points' instead of being in control. By making AI open, he wants to ensure it helps all of humanity and prevents any group from having too much power.
Q: What big investments were announced at the AI summit in New Delhi?
Jio and Reliance plan to invest ₹10 lakh crore over seven years to develop AI in India. OpenAI will also use Tata Consultancy Services' data centers for its global AI work, starting with 100 megawatts of power.
Q: How did Prime Minister Modi say AI can help people?
He said AI can make work smarter, faster, and better. It can help in designing things, developing new products quickly, and making better decisions. The goal is for AI to help people, not to replace them or control them.