AI Impact Summit: PM Modi gives MANAV vision, pitches ‘develop in India, develop for the world’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday presented India’s “MANAV” vision for artificial intelligence at the New Delhi AI Impact Summit, laying out a human-centric framework that he said would guide the development of AI not just for India, but “for the welfare of humanity in the AI-based world of the 21st century.”

Positioning India as a natural hub for this transformation, Modi highlighted the country’s diversity, demography and democracy. With one of the world’s youngest populations and a vast talent base, he argued that any AI model capable of succeeding in India’s scale and complexity can be deployed globally. He invited innovators to design and develop in India and “develop for the world.”

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At the heart of his address was the detailed articulation of the MANAV doctrine.

“Manav means human, and MANAV Vision says M- moral and ethical systems: AI should be based on ethical guidance. A- accountable governance means transparent rules, robust oversight; N- national sovereignty means whose data, his right. A- accessible and inclusive means AI should be a multiplier, not a monopoly. V- valid and legitimate means AI should be lawful and verifiable. This MANAV vision of India will become an important link for the welfare of humanity in the AI-based world of the 21st century...”



Framing AI as a global public good rather than a competitive weapon, Modi called for urgent international norms to safeguard trust in the digital age. “…Let us pledge to develop AI as a global common good. A crucial need today is to establish global standards. Deepfakes and fabricated content are destabilising the open society."

"In the digital world, content should also have authenticity labels so people know what's real and what's created with AI. As AI creates more text, images, and video, the industry increasingly needs watermarking and clear-source standards. Therefore, it's crucial that this trust is built into the technology from the start,” he added.

The emphasis was clear: AI must be anchored in ethics, governed transparently, respectful of data sovereignty, accessible across societies, and legally verifiable. In short, powerful but principled.

Modi acknowledged that the economic and social impact of AI remains uncertain. It is difficult to imagine what jobs will be created, he said, drawing a parallel with the early days of the internet boom when few foresaw the scale of transformation to come. The future of AI, he stressed, is not pre-determined -- it will be shaped by the decisions governments, companies and societies make now.

Also Read: Humans and AI will ‘co-create and co-work’: PM Narendra Modi at India AI Impact Summit

“Our future is like a new opportunity. This is the time for humans and intelligent systems to work together -- an era where humans and intelligent systems co-create and collaborate.”

Using a simple analogy, he said that while GPS may suggest the route, the final decision rests with the driver. Similarly, AI may open pathways, but humanity must decide the destination. The direction taken today will define the character of tomorrow’s world.

The summit, attended by representatives from over 100 nations and marked by strong participation from the Global South and young innovators, was described as a moment of historic transition. Unlike previous technological shifts that unfolded over decades, AI’s evolution is happening in real time.