New Delhi, February 17 – As India hosts the five-day AI Impact Summit 2026, the largest gathering of technology experts from around the world, this brings the spotlight on the government’s efforts to align with global advancements in AI technology, as well as its commitment to rapid progress in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep technology.
Modi Story, a popular social media account on X, highlighted the country's journey from being a "laggard" in AI to emerging as a digital powerhouse, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this significant transition and explaining how technology has empowered ordinary citizens in the past decade.
Schemes such as Direct Benefit Transfers, UPI payments, and the Digital India initiative have been key hallmarks of the Modi government in the past 10 years, demonstrating how technology has been effectively utilized to ensure that public welfare schemes reach every citizen, regardless of their class or social standing.
In a video shared by Modi Story, Pratyush Kumar, co-founder of Sarvam AI, who met with Prime Minister Modi during a recent roundtable with Indian startups, stated that the Prime Minister's insights and advice to budding entrepreneurs will play a significant role in shaping India's journey in the digital landscape and establishing a new AI ecosystem.
"The message was clear: innovation must reach everyone," he stated, while recounting three aspects of the Prime Minister's suggestions, which included identifying and understanding the connection between AI and India's civilizational roots, its impact on people's lives, and strict adherence to ethical principles.
Last month, Prime Minister Modi, who chaired a roundtable with AI startups at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, described India as a positive adopter of technology and emphasized that artificial intelligence should not be limited to discussions about possibilities.
Pratyush Kumar praised the motto and spirit of the ongoing AI Impact Summit 2026, stating that the event's theme itself reflects a focus on outcomes and implementation.
Further recounting conversations, he said that the Prime Minister clearly stated that the aim is "not simply to host an event in India, but to make it an event of India" and also ensure that it creates a measurable impact.
"The Prime Minister highlighted the rapid evolution of AI and why India must accelerate its AI mission. His vision is to position India at the center of the global AI conversation," he added.
During a meeting with AI startup founders, the Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of optimizing the use of technology to serve citizens, similar to how the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) scheme serves farmers through direct transfers.
"The model could be such that a farmer seeking crop advice or a student looking for personalized learning support should directly benefit from AI platforms," says the founder of Sarvam AI, a leading firm in the segment, which claims to harness the AI potential for India and its people through a collective and nationwide endeavor.