AI Impact Summit 2026 Highlights
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the AI Impact Summit 2026, emphasizing India's unique perspective on AI and its role in promoting inclusivity and empowerment, especially in the Global South. He contrasted India's approach to AI, which focuses on democracy and diversity, with other countries that treat AI as a strategic asset.
India's AI Vision: MANAV
- MANAV stands for:
- Moral and ethical systems: AI should follow ethical guidelines.
- Accountable governance: Transparent rules and oversight.
- National sovereignty: Data should belong to its creators.
- Accessibility and inclusivity: AI should avoid monopolies and have a multiplier effect.
- Validity and legitimacy: AI must be lawful and verifiable.
- MANAV aims to ensure AI contributes positively to human welfare.
Summit Participation and Initiatives
- Over 100 countries participated, including 20 heads of state such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
- A leaders' declaration was signed, potentially including India's participation in the US-led Pax Silica initiative.
- PM Modi invited global leaders to "design and develop in India; deliver to the world; deliver to humanity".
Global Perspectives on AI
- French President Macron and UN Secretary-General Guterres called for a cooperative global approach to AI.
- Macron emphasized developing "sovereign AI" and announced France's move to ban social networks for minors under 15.
- Guterres proposed a $3 billion Global Fund on AI for developing countries.
Ethical and Human-Centric AI Development
- Modi highlighted the importance of a human-centric AI ecosystem, guided by:
- Respect for data sovereignty.
- Transparent safety rules.
- Embedding human values.
- He warned against the potential disruptions of AI and stressed the need for ethical use.
Challenges and Solutions
- Modi addressed concerns about job losses, emphasizing collaboration between humans and intelligent systems.
- He identified threats from deepfakes and proposed authenticity labels for AI-generated content.
- Emphasized the need for ethical business practices and suggested a "glass box" approach for AI systems.
International Collaborations and Future Events
- Modi met with leaders such as Swiss President Parmelin and discussed the India-European Free Trade Association agreement.
- The next AI Summit will be hosted by Switzerland, followed by the UAE.
- Discussions with other leaders included strengthening ties in technology, green projects, and counterterrorism.
Commitment to Inclusivity
PM Modi highlighted India's commitment to accessibility, demonstrated by real-time sign-language translation using AI during his speech.
