PM Modi's 5 big takeaways on AI at India summit: 'Open sky to AI but reins in our hands'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday unveiled his human-centric ‘MANAV’ vision for artificial intelligence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi

• India hosts historic AI Summit with global leaders and tech CEOs
• PM Modi unveils MANAV Vision for ethical and inclusive AI
• AI must be open-source and democratized for global benefit

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While addressing a gathering at India AI Impact Summit on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is the centre of the world's largest tech pool.

"...I welcome you all to the most historic AI Summit of the world...India is the centre of the world's largest tech pool...It is a matter of pride for the Global South that the AI summit is being organised in India,” he said.

He was addressing a gathering comprising world leaders such as Spanish President Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, along with senior tech executives such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO Dennis Hassabis, and Reliance Industries Limited, chairman and managing director, Mukesh Ambani, and Microsoft president Brad Smith

Here are the key statements made by the PM at the Summit.

•The real question is not what AI can do in future, it is what can we do with AI in the present. AI is a transformative power. If it strays away from its goals, it will lead to destruction and if used well, it will give solutions… We have to give an open sky to AI, but at the same time we have to keep the reins in our hands

•For AI, humans are just data points, and to prevent people from being reduced to raw material, AI must be democratised. It should promote inclusion and empowerment, especially in the Global South

•I present the MANAV Vision for AI. MANAV means human, and MANAV Vision says M- moral and ethical systems: AI should be based on ethical guidance. A- accountable governance means transparent rules, robust oversight; N- national sovereignty means whose data, his right. A- accessible and inclusive means AI should be a multiplier, not a monopoly. V- valid and legitimate means AI should be lawful and verifiable. This MANAV vision of India will become an important link for the welfare of humanity in the AI-based world of the 21st century

•India sees a strong future in AI. We have the talent, energy capacity, and policy clarity. 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...I invite you all to design and develop in India, deliver to the world, humanity

•We must make skilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning a mass movement. The future of work will be inclusive, trusted, and human-centric. If we move forward together, artificial intelligence will elevate the potential of humanity. We believe AI can benefit only when it can be shared; we should make a resolve to develop AI as a global common good.