New Delhi, February 19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly advocated for democratizing artificial intelligence on Thursday, stating that some countries believe AI should be developed in a confidential and closed manner, but India believes it will truly benefit the world when it is shared and its code is open.
Addressing the India AI Impact Summit here, Modi unveiled the 'MANAV' vision, which emphasizes a human-centric approach and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) with a strong focus on sovereignty and inclusivity.
He asserted that the country does not fear AI but sees it as an opportunity and a blueprint for the future.
"Some countries believe that AI should be developed in a confidential and closed manner. But India is different. We believe that AI will truly benefit the world when it is shared and its code is open. Only then will millions of young minds be able to further improve it," he said.
Emphasizing the importance of child safety, the prime minister said that just as school curricula are carefully designed, the AI space must also be child-safe and guided by families.
He stated that there are two types of people – those who fear AI and those who see its potential – and asserted that India sees the potential and future in AI, backed by talent, energy capacity, and policy clarity.
Ensuring the welfare and happiness of all is "our benchmark" for AI, Modi stressed, so that humans are not treated as mere data points or raw materials.
"I present the MANAV vision for AI, where M stands for moral and ethical systems, A for accountable governance, N for national sovereignty, A for accessible and inclusive, and V for valid and legitimate," Modi said, addressing world leaders at the Bharat Mandapam here.
The prime minister also stated that the MANAV vision will be a crucial link for humanity's welfare in the 21st century, driven by AI.
He said that AI should be given an open environment, but control should remain in human hands.
World leaders, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Swiss President Guy Parmelin, and CEOs from leading technology companies from around the world, were also present at the Summit.
India's progress in AI was showcased during Modi's speech, which was translated into 11 languages, along with an AI-enabled sign language interpretation.
The AI-enabled sign language interpretation was projected on a large screen behind the prime minister, ensuring that the speech was accessible to everyone.
Later, addressing a leaders' plenary session, the prime minister said that India has built a vibrant digital public infrastructure, which it is sharing with the world because for India, technology is not a tool of power, but a tool of service, not to dominate, but to empower.
"In recent years, India has built a vibrant digital public infrastructure and is sharing it with the world, because for India, technology is not a tool of power, but a tool of service, not to dominate, but to empower. AI too should follow this direction to ensure the welfare of humanity," he said.
He also emphasized that as the future of AI is discussed, the aspirations and priorities of the Global South must be at the center of AI governance.
The prime minister emphasized that the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ensures seamless online transactions, even in difficult circumstances, and has played a major role in bridging the digital divide.
He also said that India is providing its startups with world-class computing power at highly affordable rates.
India has also created the AIKosh national dataset platform, through which more than 7,500 datasets and 270 AI models have been shared as national resources, he said.
The prime minister emphasized that India's direction and vision for AI is clear: AI is a shared resource for the welfare of humanity.
Recalling Lord Buddha's teaching that "right action comes from right understanding," Modi stressed the importance of creating a roadmap that ensures AI's positive impact through timely, well-intentioned, and correct decisions.
He said that "aspirational India" has a major role in the global journey of AI, and, recognizing this responsibility, India is taking significant steps.
The prime minister also cautioned that while ethics have always been central to human progress, with AI, the scope of unethical behaviour is unlimited.
Ethical norms for AI must also be unlimited, and AI companies carry a major responsibility to focus not only on profit but also on purpose, he said, underscoring the need for strong ethical commitments.
Modi also emphasised the need to build a global AI ecosystem that is human-centric and sensitive.
After all, he said, humanity has always turned disruptions into opportunities, and the rise of AI presents yet another such key opportunity.
"Let us work together to create a roadmap that ensures that AI delivers the right impact, and this can happen when we take the right decisions, at the right time, with the right policies," he said.
Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic, Estonia President Alar Karis, Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, and Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay were among the other top leaders present at the event.
The AI Impact Summit is being held from February 16-20 at the Bharat Mandapam, in which more than 500 global AI leaders, 150 academicians and researchers, and 400 chief technology officers, vice-presidents, and philanthropists are taking part.
