"AI stands at a civilisational inflection point, must ensure meaningful and equitable outcomes": PM Modi
New Delhi, February 17
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that artificial intelligence stands at a civilisational inflection point and can expand human capability in unprecedented ways, but if left unguided, it could also test existing social foundations.
Speaking exclusively to ANI, PM Modi explained the significance of the summit's motto, saying, "Today, AI stands at a civilisational inflection point. It can expand human capability in unprecedented ways, but it can also test existing social foundations if left unguided. That is why we have deliberately framed this Summit around Impact that ensures meaningful and equitable outcomes, not just innovation. The guiding spirit, "Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye", reflects India's civilisational philosophy. The end goal of technology should be 'Welfare for All, Happiness of All'. Technology exists to serve humanity, not replace it."
He further elaborated on the structure and vision of the AI Impact Summit 2026, and noted that India's vision was to see AI's benefits distrubuted to all.
"The Summit is structured around People, Planet and Progress. AI systems draw upon knowledge and data generated across societies worldwide. Therefore, we want AI's benefits to be diffused to everyone and not just hoarded by early adopters," PM Modi said.
Highlighting India's role as the first country in the Global South to host such a summit, PM Modi said, "India is creating a platform that amplifies under-represented voices and development priorities. AI governance, inclusive datasets, climate applications, agricultural productivity, public health, and multilingual access are not peripheral issues for us. They are central."
"Our vision is clear: AI must accelerate global development while remaining deeply human-centric," the Prime Minister added.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 marks the first time that a global convening of this scale on artificial intelligence is being organised in the Global South. By linking policy with implementation and innovation with public purpose, the Summit establishes a structured approach to responsible AI deployment. It aligns technological advancement with inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The Summit positions India as a convenor and partner in global AI cooperation, supporting shared standards, collaborative frameworks, and scalable solutions for public good. It marks a transition from dialogue to delivery, reinforcing India's commitment to responsible, inclusive, and development-focused AI pathways.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, a global tech conversation being led with an Indian ethos! The West often focuses only on profit and innovation. Our philosophy of welfare for all must guide AI development. Proud that India is hosting this in the Global South. 🇮🇳
The points about agriculture and multilingual access are spot on. An AI tool trained only in English is useless for most Indian farmers. We need solutions in local languages that address our specific problems like crop disease prediction and market prices.
As someone working in tech, I appreciate the emphasis on equitable outcomes. The fear of job displacement is real. The summit's focus on "People, Planet and Progress" is a good framework, but the real test will be in its implementation. Hoping for tangible results.
While the vision is commendable, I have a respectful criticism. We must ensure our own house is in order. Do we have enough data privacy laws and digital literacy to handle this responsibly? The summit is a great step, but we need strong domestic policy to back this global vision.
"Technology exists to serve humanity, not replace it." This line is everything! So many sci-fi movies show the opposite. Glad our leadership is thinking about guiding AI with our ancient wisdom. Jai Hind!
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