PM Narendra Modi unveils India’s MANAV vision for ethical, inclusive and human-centric AI at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday presented India’s human-centric approach to artificial intelligence while addressing global leaders at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
Introducing the “MANAV” vision, PM Modi explained that the term—derived from the Hindi word for human—also functions as an acronym defining five foundational principles for the future of AI: Moral and ethical systems, Accountable governance, National sovereignty (with emphasis on data rights), Accessible and inclusive technology, and Valid and legitimate systems.
AI as a Defining Moment in Human History
Drawing parallels with earlier technological revolutions, PM Modi described artificial intelligence as a transformation comparable to the invention of wireless communication. He noted that while early innovators could not foresee a fully connected world, AI is now triggering a similarly profound shift—at an unprecedented pace.
“Artificial Intelligence represents a historic turning point,” he said, adding that the developments seen today mark only the beginning of AI’s long-term global impact.
Expanding Human Capability, Not Just Machine Intelligence
The Prime Minister emphasized that AI’s true value lies in enhancing human potential rather than simply making machines smarter. According to him, AI is amplifying human capabilities many times over, with change unfolding faster and at a much larger scale than any previous technological transition.
He observed that innovations which once took decades to reshape societies are now doing so within years, as systems rapidly evolve from traditional machine learning toward more advanced, adaptive intelligence. “We are entering an era where humans and intelligent systems will co-create, co-work, and co-evolve,” he said.
Global Leaders Gather in New Delhi
Earlier in the day, PM Modi welcomed several international leaders to the summit venue at Bharat Mandapam, including Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.
The five-day summit, running from February 16 to 20, has attracted more than 500 global AI leaders, 150 academics and researchers, and over 400 chief technology officers, senior executives, and philanthropists, positioning India as a central voice in shaping the global discourse on responsible and inclusive AI.
Read more: Holly Fang Appointed Chief Business Officer at Finmo
