Randa Refaat
In a landmark moment for global technology governance, world leaders, innovators, and policymakers convened in India’s capital for the AI Impact Summit 2026, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented an ambitious vision for a human-centric future powered by artificial intelligence.
The summit, hosted by India, brought together representatives from more than 100 countries, reflecting the growing urgency to shape the trajectory of AI development at a global scale.
The gathering highlighted India’s expanding role as a leading voice in technology governance and innovation, while underscoring the importance of ensuring that AI advancements remain aligned with human welfare and inclusive growth.
Addressing international delegates, Modi framed artificial intelligence as one of the most transformative forces in human history—comparable to milestones such as electricity and the internet—but unfolding at unprecedented speed.
He emphasized that while AI enhances machine intelligence, its true power lies in amplifying human capability and societal progress.
At the heart of India’s proposal was the MANAV framework, a governance model designed to ensure that artificial intelligence evolves responsibly and inclusively.
The framework outlines five guiding principles:
Moral and Ethical Systems to anchor AI in shared values.
Accountable Governance with transparent oversight mechanisms.
National Sovereignty recognizing each nation’s rights over its data and digital infrastructure.
Accessible and Inclusive Innovation to prevent technological monopolies.
Valid and Legitimate Systems ensuring AI operates within legal and verifiable boundaries.
According to Modi, the approach reflects a broader philosophical vision rooted in collective well-being, emphasizing that AI should serve humanity rather than reduce individuals to mere data points.
The summit also showcased practical applications already transforming sectors across India.
Among them was an AI-powered digital assistant developed by Amul, providing real-time guidance to millions of dairy farmers—many of them women—on livestock health and productivity in regional languages.
Another initiative, Bharat VISTAAR, demonstrated how multilingual AI tools can empower farmers with critical insights ranging from weather forecasts to market trends.
A major theme throughout the discussions was trust in the age of generative AI.
Modi called for global standards to counter misinformation and deepfakes, proposing authenticity labels and watermarking systems for synthetic digital content—similar to nutritional labeling in the food industry. India, he noted, has already introduced regulatory steps requiring clear disclosure of AI-generated media.
The summit further underscored the need to protect younger generations in an increasingly AI-driven digital environment, advocating safeguards that encourage responsible use and family-guided engagement.
Beyond governance, India positioned itself as a rapidly expanding hub for AI innovation and infrastructure
Through its national AI mission, the country is investing heavily in computing power, including large-scale GPU deployment and the creation of a national AI repository aimed at democratizing access to datasets and models. The initiative is designed to ensure that startups and researchers—from small enterprises to major technology firms—can compete on the global stage.
With one of the world’s largest youth populations and a fast-growing technology ecosystem, India is seeking to leverage its demographic strength to
drive the next wave of AI innovation. The summit highlighted emerging domestic AI models and applications developed by Indian companies, signaling the country’s ambition to become a major global AI powerhouse.
Concluding his address, Modi extended an open invitation to the international community, positioning India as both a development laboratory and a global partner in shaping responsible artificial intelligence.
“Design and develop in India,” he said, “and deliver to the world—deliver to humanity.”
The AI Impact Summit 2026 may ultimately be remembered as a pivotal moment in defining how nations collaborate to guide artificial intelligence toward a future that prioritizes human progress, global inclusion, and shared prosperity.
