India AI Impact Summit 2026: PM Modi's strong message—AI's power can only be trusted when transparency and security are combined
At the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the biggest challenges associated with artificial intelligence. He stated that if AI-generated images, videos, and audio continue to circulate without identification, it could pose a threat to both society and democracy. PM Modi suggested that AI-generated content should be mandatorily labeled or watermarked to help the public distinguish between genuine and fake information. He emphasized that technology should be as accountable as it is powerful.
India's View on AI: Not Fear, but an Opportunity for Development
Prime Minister Modi stated that while many parts of the world are filled with apprehension and fear about AI, India sees it as a key to its bright future. According to him, AI is the next major milestone in India's development journey, capable of bringing revolutionary changes in areas such as education, health, agriculture, and governance. He also clarified that India views technology not merely as a means of profit, but as a means of providing opportunities to the last person in society. This vision is driving India towards global AI leadership.
M.A.N.A.V Vision: India's Global Roadmap for AI
At the summit, PM Modi presented a new global vision for AI, which he called the M.A.N.A.V Vision. Under this vision, AI should be ethical, accountable, respectful of national sovereignty, accessible to all, and legally valid. PM Modi said that AI should not be limited to data and algorithms, but should become a means for the welfare of humanity. He said that only if technology is rooted in human values will it prove reliable and useful in the long run.
Content identification is essential, like nutrition labels on food
Speaking about the growing threat of deepfakes, the Prime Minister gave a simple but effective example. He said that just as food packets have nutrition labels, digital content should also have labels to confirm its authenticity. This will allow users to instantly understand whether a video, photo, or audio is authentic or created by AI. India has already implemented regulations related to watermarking on AI-generated content and is now considering strengthening them further.
India's Emphasis on Open Source AI and Global Collaboration
Prime Minister Modi stated that India does not want AI to be a closed-door technology. He advocated for promoting an "open source" approach so that developers and young minds from around the world can collaborate to make AI safer and better. He believes that only when technology is shared, innovation will progress rapidly and the risk of misuse will be reduced. He also called for a global consensus on the need for strict controls on the use of AI in deepfakes, cybercrime, and terrorist activities.
Sundar Pichai's Big Statement: AI Will Change the Future of Billions of Lives
At the summit, Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated that AI is going to completely transform the lives of billions of people in the future. He praised India's AI initiatives and said that the country has a strong pool of talented youth. Pichai stated that under the "Karmayogi Bharat" mission, a plan is underway to provide AI training to approximately 20 million employees, with Google also collaborating.
Important Discussion on India's AI Ecosystem
Prime Minister Modi and Sundar Pichai also held a separate meeting on the sidelines of the summit. They discussed issues such as India's AI ecosystem, skill development for students and professionals, research, and industry collaboration. Both leaders agreed that the proper use of AI can make India a digital superpower, provided it is pursued responsibly and transparently.
Jobs and AI: They will not disappear, they will transform
PM Modi also clarified that fears of AI eliminating jobs are unfounded. According to him, technology will create new opportunities, and humans and machines will work together to shape the future. He stressed the need to make skilling and reskilling a mass movement so that the youth can prepare themselves with the changing technology.