Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a balanced and purpose-driven approach to artificial intelligence (AI) that not only drives innovation but also prioritises inclusion, ethics, and human values. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Modi emphasised that AI should be developed and deployed with clear attention to social good, ensuring that technological progress benefits all sections of society rather than only a few. This reflects India’s broader vision for AI as a tool for equitable development rather than just commercial competition.
Modi outlined three core goals for AI — innovation, inclusion, and human values — and stressed that none should be pursued at the expense of the others. He highlighted the potential of AI to transform key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and governance by making services more efficient, accessible, and affordable. According to the prime minister, AI technologies should augment human capability and enhance dignity at work, not replace the human judgment and ethical consideration that are essential to public life.
The prime minister also underscored the importance of data sovereignty and the development of sovereign AI infrastructure within India. This includes investments in computing power, data resources, and multilingual AI models that can serve India’s diverse population and linguistic landscape. Modi argued that such infrastructure will not only foster homegrown innovation but also ensure that AI tools reflect Indian values, languages, and cultural contexts — reducing dependence on foreign technologies that may not align with local needs.
Finally, Modi urged global cooperation on AI governance that is inclusive and ethical, advocating a model where developing nations have a meaningful voice in setting international AI norms and standards. He emphasised that technological empowerment must be matched by ethical leadership, and that AI — like earlier digital public infrastructure such as Aadhaar and UPI — can drive broad societal uplift when guided by human-centric principles.
