PM Modi unveils MANAV Vision for ethical, inclusive AI governance at India AI Impact Summit

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday unveiled India’s comprehensive ‘MANAV Vision’ for artificial intelligence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, outlining a human-centric framework for ethical, accountable and inclusive AI governance.

Addressing delegates at the summit in the national capital, the Prime Minister said, “Today at the New Delhi AI Impact Summit, I present the MANAV Vision for AI. MANAV means human”.

Explaining the acronym, he said, “‘M’ stands for moral and ethical systems — AI should be based on ethical guidance. ‘A’ stands for accountable governance, meaning transparent rules and robust oversight. ‘N’ stands for national sovereignty — whose data, his right. ‘A’ stands for accessible and inclusive — AI should be a multiplier, not a monopoly. ‘V’ stands for valid and legitimate — AI should be lawful and verifiable”.

Today at the New Delhi AI Summit, I present a MANAV Vision for AI.

MANAV means human. In MANAV,

M stands for moral and ethical systems.
A stands for accountable governance.
N stands for national sovereignty.
A stands for accessible and inclusive.
V stands for valid and… pic.twitter.com/4HsjQPtJFC

— DD News (@DDNewslive) February 19, 2026

PM Modi asserted that the MANAV Vision would serve as a guiding framework for the global AI ecosystem. “This MANAV vision of India will become an important link for the welfare of humanity in the AI-based world of the 21st century”, he said.

Highlighting concerns around emerging risks, the Prime Minister stressed the need for stronger safeguards, particularly for children. “We have to be more cautious regarding children’s safety. The AI space should also be child safe and family guided”, he said.

Furthermore, PM Modi said the vision reflects the changing technological landscape. “We are entering an era where humans and intelligent systems co-create, co-work and co-evolve,” he said.

Asserting India’s growing capabilities in the sector, he added, “India sees a strong future in AI. We have the talent, energy capacity and policy clarity.” The Prime Minister also announced new domestic innovations at the summit. “I am pleased to inform you all that at this summit, three Indian companies have launched their AI models and apps. These models showcase the talent of our youth,” he said.

Inviting global collaboration, PM Modi urged technology leaders and innovators to partner with India. “I invite you all to design and develop in India, deliver to the world, humanity,” he said.

The Prime Minister said Artificial Intelligence marks a shift in human history, urging nations to balance innovation with responsibility.

He drew parallels with earlier technological breakthroughs. “When signals were first transmitted wirelessly, no one imagined that the entire world would one day be connected in real time. Artificial Intelligence is such a transformation of human history. What we are seeing today, what we are predicting, is just the beginning of its impact,” he said

The Prime Minister compared AI’s rise to early human discoveries. “When sparks first emerged from stones, no one imagined that those sparks would become the foundation of civilisation. When speech was first transformed into script, no one knew that written knowledge would become the backbone of future systems,” he said.

Highlighting the pace of change, the Prime Minister noted, “AI is making machines intelligent, but more than that, it is increasing human capabilities manyfold. There is only one difference: this time the speed is unprecedented and the scale is also unexpected.” He added that earlier technologies took decades to influence societies, but today the shift from machine learning to learning machines is rapid and widespread.

“Earlier, the impact of technology used to take decades to be visible. Today, the journey from machine learning to learning machines is faster, deeper and wider than ever,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi said countries must adopt a long-term approach. “We have to have a big vision and shoulder an equally big responsibility. Along with the present generation, we also have to worry about what form of AI we will hand over to the coming generations,” he said.

He added that the debate should focus on present action. “The real question today is not what Artificial Intelligence can do in the future. The question is, what do we do with Artificial Intelligence in the present?” he said, citing nuclear power as an example of technology with both destructive and constructive outcomes.

The India AI Impact Summit has brought together government policymakers, industry AI experts, academicians, technology innovators and civil society from across the world at New Delhi to advance global discussions on artificial intelligence.

The India AI Impact Summit, the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South, reflects on the transformative potential of AI aligning with the national vision of “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” (welfare for all, happiness for all) and the global principle of AI for Humanity. This summit is part of an evolving international process aimed at strengthening global cooperation on the governance, safety, and societal impact of AI. (ANI)