New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Thursday. Moreover, he urged nations to democratise artificial intelligence. He also introduced the “MANAV” framework for AI governance. Therefore, he put a human-first lens at the centre of the summit’s debate.
PM Modi sets the core question for AI’s future
PM Modi asked leaders to build AI that stays human-centric, not AI-centric. Additionally, he said welfare and happiness for all must guide AI decisions. He also warned against turning humans into data points. Consequently, he called for an inclusive model that reaches everyone.
He also urged openness for AI to evolve. However, he insisted humans must keep the command in their hands. Therefore, he framed governance as the real test of progress.
#WATCH | Delhi: At the #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “Today at the New Delhi AI Impact Summit, 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-… pic.twitter.com/KR3rz8pGet
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2026
MANAV explained: Moral systems come first
PM Modi used “M” to stress moral and ethical responsibility in AI. Moreover, he said developers must follow ethical guardrails while building systems. Therefore, he linked innovation with values, not speed alone.
MANAV explained: Accountability must stay visible
PM Modi used the first “A” to demand accountable governance. Additionally, he pointed to transparent rules and strong oversight. Consequently, he pushed institutions to track decisions and enforce responsibility.
MANAV explained: National sovereignty over data
PM Modi used “N” to underline national sovereignty over data. Moreover, he said data generated within a country must remain under that nation’s jurisdiction. Therefore, he positioned data rights as a governance pillar.
MANAV explained: Access and inclusion for all
Modi used the second “A” to stress accessibility and inclusion. Additionally, he said AI must reach every section of society. Consequently, he argued that democratisation can prevent exclusion.
MANAV explained: Validity under the rule of law
Modi used “V” to demand lawful, reliable, and verifiable AI. Moreover, he said systems must hold up under legal scrutiny. Therefore, he tied trust to legitimacy and proof.
Why this summit matters now
The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 runs for six days. Moreover, it marks the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. The event theme says, “Welfare for All, Happiness for All.” Additionally, it brings together over 2,00,000 participants, including heads of state. It also hosts tech leaders like Sam Altman, Sundar Pichai, and Jensen Huang.
For more context, add an internal link to your explainer: “What MANAV Means for India’s AI Rules.” Also add an external link to the reference report
