PM Modi outlines MANAV vision at mega summit, calls for democratisation of AI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Thursday, outlined a human-centric vision for the future of artificial intelligence, calling for the democratisation and inclusiveness of the rapidly emerging technology.
The Prime Minister stressed that the approach to artificial intelligence should focus on “how to make AI human-centric rather than AI-centric” as he presented the ‘MANAV’ framework for AI governance, with focus on ethics, accountability, data sovereignty, accessibility and legal validity.
“Welfare for all and happiness for all is our benchmark. Humans should not become mere data points or raw material for AI,” the Prime Minister said, asserting that there is a need to democratise AI and make it an inclusive model.
He underscored, “We should provide AI with an open scope to evolve, but the command must remain in our hands”.
PM’S ‘MANAV’ VISION FOR AI
To promote a human-centric approach to artificial intelligence, the Prime Minister presented the MANAV framework:
M – Moral and Ethical Systems: Ethical considerations and moral responsibility should guide AI systems.
A – Accountable: Governance must ensure accountability with transparent rules and oversight.
N – National Sovereignty: Data generated within a country should belong to that nation and remain under its jurisdiction.
A – Accessible and Inclusive: AI systems should be accessible to all sections of society and promote inclusivity.
V – Valid and Legitimate: AI must be lawful, reliable, and verifiable under the rule of law.
The India-AI Impact Summit 2026, a six-day global conference, is the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South. Themed ‘Welfare for All, Happiness for All’, it brings together over 200,000 participants, including world leaders, heads of state, and tech icons like Sam Altman, Sundar Pichai, and Jensen Huang, to discuss the responsible and inclusive use of artificial intelligence.
The Prime Minister noted that the participation of over 100 countries in the summit, along with leading figures from the global AI ecosystem, was a matter of pride not only for India but also for the Global South.
He also highlighted the strong presence of young innovators at the event, emphasising that the younger generation was taking ownership of emerging technologies despite the initial scepticism that often accompanies technological change.
