Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that technology exists to serve humanity, not replace it. He said the ultimate goal of technology should be "Well-being for All, Happiness for All." In an interview with a news agency, Mr. Modi said that AI is currently at a crucial turning point in civilization. He said it can significantly expand human capabilities, but it can also challenge existing social structures if not properly guided. The Prime Minister emphasized that is why India has deliberately focused the India AI Impact Summit on achieving meaningful and equitable outcomes, rather than just innovation.
He added that the guiding principle, "Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye" (For the welfare of all, for the happiness of all), reflects India's civilizational philosophy. He further stated that the Summit is structured around People, Planet, and Progress. Mr. Modi said that his vision for AI in Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) rests on three pillars: sovereignty, inclusivity, and innovation. He stated that India should be among the top three AI superpowers globally, not just in the consumption of AI, but also in its creation.
The Prime Minister said that AI represents a transformative opportunity in India's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India by 2047). Mr. Modi said that strategically leveraging AI can address deep developmental challenges while creating entirely new economic opportunities, enabling inclusive growth, bridging the urban-rural divide, and expanding access to opportunity. He added that as the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South, India is creating a platform that amplifies under-represented voices and development priorities.
Mr. Modi said that India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) journey offers crucial and practical lessons for the Global South. He said that the convergence of DPI and AI is the next frontier of inclusive development. He added that the success with Aadhaar, UPI, and other digital public goods was not accidental, and it stemmed from a few replicable principles.
The Prime Minister stated that the Government remains committed to strengthening every effort by talented youth to make AI a force multiplier for innovation and inclusion. He said that the Union Budget for 2026-27 reinforces this vision. He added that it expands support for data centers and cloud infrastructure, strengthening domestic compute capacity.
