New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): As the India AI Impact Summit 2026 commenced in the national capital marking the first global AI gathering of this scale hosted in the Global South Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated India’s vision for a human-centric artificial intelligence ecosystem rooted in the principle of “Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye” (Welfare for All, Happiness for All).
In a special interview to Asian News International (ANI), the Prime Minister said AI stands at a “civilisational inflection point,” capable of expanding human potential but also posing risks if left unguided.
“Technology exists to serve humanity, not replace it,” Modi said, underlining that the summit’s focus is not merely innovation, but equitable and meaningful impact.
Global South at the Centre
The summit has brought together Heads of State, ministers, technology leaders and industry stakeholders to deliberate on AI’s role in inclusive growth, public systems and sustainable development. Modi emphasized that India, as host, aims to amplify under-represented voices and development priorities from the Global South.
Structured around the themes of People, Planet and Progress, the summit will focus on AI governance, inclusive datasets, climate action, agriculture, public health and multilingual access.
AI and Viksit Bharat 2047
Highlighting AI’s role in India’s long-term development roadmap, Modi said artificial intelligence would be instrumental in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
He cited examples of AI-driven healthcare solutions enabling early detection of tuberculosis and diabetic retinopathy, personalised learning platforms in regional languages, and agricultural advisories integrating soil analytics and weather intelligence.
He also referred to initiatives under the IndiaAI Mission, which supports startups and research institutions with high-performance computing infrastructure.
Tackling Bias and Ensuring Responsible AI
Addressing concerns about bias and fairness in AI systems — a theme he previously raised at the AI Action Summit 2025 in Paris — Modi stressed the need for global cooperation.
He noted that India’s diversity presents unique challenges, particularly in language and socio-economic representation. Efforts are underway to develop more inclusive datasets and strengthen research into AI fairness in Indian academic and technology institutions.
India has also launched the IndiaAI Safety Institute to promote ethical and responsible AI deployment. Regulatory measures now require watermarking of AI-generated content to curb misuse such as deepfakes, alongside protections under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act.
Digital Public Infrastructure and AI
Modi highlighted India’s experience in building open, interoperable Digital Public Infrastructure such as Aadhaar and Unified Payments Interface (UPI), calling their convergence with AI the “next frontier of inclusive development.”
He said layering AI onto public digital platforms could improve welfare targeting, fraud detection, urban planning and public service delivery — offering a replicable model for other developing nations.
IT Sector and Economic Growth
On AI’s impact on India’s IT sector, Modi said the technology would transform rather than replace the industry. He projected strong growth driven by AI-enabled outsourcing and automation, supported by expanded data centres, semiconductor manufacturing and AI Centres of Excellence announced in the Union Budget 2026–27.
“India has the talent and entrepreneurial energy to become an AI powerhouse not just as a consumer, but a creator,” he said.
Addressing Job Concerns
Responding to fears that AI could displace jobs, Modi emphasized skilling and re-skilling initiatives, asserting that technological revolutions historically create new forms of employment.
Citing India’s ranking of third in the Stanford Global AI Vibrancy Index 2025, he expressed confidence that the country’s demographic dividend would benefit from AI-driven opportunities.
Vision for Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Modi concluded by outlining a three-pillar vision for AI in Aatmanirbhar Bharat: sovereignty, inclusivity and innovation.
“Our AI models will be deployed worldwide, serving billions in their native languages. Every Indian should experience AI as an enabler of opportunity not as a threat,” he said.
With the India AI Impact Summit 2026 underway, the Prime Minister positioned India as a responsible global leader seeking to balance rapid innovation with ethical safeguards — advancing what he described as a model of #AIForAll.
