AI Impact Summit 2026: Shaping Human-Centric Future for AI

At a defining moment in global technological history, the world gathered at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, with leaders, policymakers, innovators, and delegates from more than 100 countries in attendance.

 The Summit marked a major milestone for India, reflecting its growing role in shaping the global conversation on artificial intelligence (AI). 

The event brought together governments, technology companies, startups, researchers, and thousands of young participants, making it one of the largest and most inclusive global platforms dedicated to AI.

The Prime Minister of India said the Summit placed human well-being at the heart of the global AI conversation, guided by the principle of “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” (Welfare for All, Happiness for All).

 He pointed to India’s experience with digital public infrastructure, including the Unified Payments Interface, as proof that large-scale technology can be deployed inclusively, ensuring that no section of society is left behind. According to him, the same inclusive spirit was visible at the Summit, particularly in innovations showcased in agriculture, security, assistive technologies for persons with disabilities, and tools supporting multilingual populations.

The Prime Minister of India said that AI is already empowering communities across the country, citing examples such as “Sarlaben,” an AI-powered digital assistant developed by Amul to support dairy farmers with real-time guidance in local languages, and Bharat VISTAAR, a multilingual AI platform providing farmers with timely information on weather conditions and market prices. 

He added that such solutions demonstrate how AI can strengthen livelihoods and promote inclusive development.

Addressing the need for responsible governance, the Prime Minister of India said that humans must never become mere data points or raw material for machines, and that AI should be a tool for global good, particularly for the Global South.

 He announced India’s MANAV framework for human-centric AI governance, which outlines principles covering ethical systems, accountable governance, respect for national data sovereignty, accessibility and inclusion, and legal validity and verification of AI systems.

The Prime Minister of India also warned of growing risks from deepfakes and disinformation in the age of generative AI, calling for global standards on watermarking and source verification of digital content. He said trust is the foundation of AI’s future and stressed that safeguarding children and families in digital spaces must remain a global priority. He further advocated open platforms and shared innovation, noting that technology yields its greatest benefits when treated as a global common good rather than a guarded strategicasset.

Highlighting India’s preparedness for the AI era, the Prime Minister of India said the country’s youthful population, technology talent, and policy clarity position it to harness AI’s full potential. He added that India is strengthening its AI ecosystem through investments in high-performance computing infrastructure, a national AI repository to democratise access to data and models, and a complete value chain approach spanning semiconductors, data infrastructure, startups, and applied research.

Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister of India invited the global community to design and develop AI solutions in India and deliver them to the world, stressing that solutions developed for India’s diversity, democracy, and demographic dynamism can benefit humanity everywhere.

“Artificial Intelligence belongs in the same league as fire, writing, electricity and the internet,” said the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, highlighting the transformative nature of AI and the unprecedented speed at which it is reshaping societies. He noted that while AI makes machines intelligent, its greater value lies in amplifying human intent and capabilities. Emphasising the need for a people-first approach, he said that making AI human-centric rather than machine-centric is essential to ensure that technology serves humanity.