Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India’s MANAV Vision for Artificial Intelligence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, outlining a human-centric framework to guide the country’s AI development strategy. Addressing delegates at Bharat Mandapam, the Prime Minister emphasized that “AI is a transformative power. If directionless, it becomes a disruption; if the right direction is found, it becomes a solution.”
He explained that “MANAV”—which means human in Hindi—symbolizes India’s commitment to ensuring that artificial intelligence remains anchored in human welfare. According to the Prime Minister, the MANAV Vision will serve as a foundational benchmark for building a responsible, inclusive, and globally relevant AI ecosystem.
The MANAV Vision outlines five core pillars:
M – Moral and ethical systems: AI must be grounded in strong ethical frameworks.
A – Accountable governance: Transparent rules, regulatory clarity, and robust oversight mechanisms must guide AI deployment.
N – National sovereignty: “Jiska data, uska adhikar” (your data, your right), underscoring data ownership and digital sovereignty.
A – Accessible and inclusive: AI should act as a multiplier for opportunity, not a monopoly concentrated in a few hands.
V – Valid and legitimate: AI systems must be lawful, verifiable, and compliant with democratic norms.
Modi stated that the MANAV Vision would become a critical link between technological advancement and human welfare in an AI-driven world. “The theme of this summit clearly reflects the perspective from which India views AI,” he said, highlighting India’s approach as human-first rather than machine-first.
AI as a Multiplier of Human Capability
The Prime Minister noted that while AI enhances machine intelligence, its deeper impact lies in amplifying human capabilities at unprecedented speed and scale. Unlike previous technological revolutions that unfolded over decades, AI adoption is progressing rapidly and globally.
“The journey from machine learning to learning machines is faster, deeper, and wider than ever,” he observed, emphasizing that the transformation is both immediate and systemic. He also commended the world’s youth—particularly India’s young innovators—for rapidly embracing AI and shaping its applications across sectors.
India’s Human-Centric AI Strategy
The MANAV Vision reinforces India’s broader AI policy narrative: transitioning AI from machine-centric automation toward human-centric empowerment. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of making AI sensitive, responsive, and aligned with societal needs.
By articulating a structured ethical framework alongside technological ambition, India is positioning itself as a responsible global stakeholder in the AI era—balancing innovation, governance, data sovereignty, and inclusive growth. The announcement at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 signals India’s intent not only to scale AI adoption domestically but also to influence global conversations on AI ethics, regulation, and equitable access.
