NEW DELHI, Feb 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday underscored that India AI blueprint for future is rooted in openness, inclusion and responsible innovation, asserting that artificial intelligence must empower humanity rather than reduce individuals to mere data points.
Addressing delegates at the India AI Impact Summit in the national capital, the Prime Minister said India believes AI will truly benefit the world when its development is shared and accessible. He emphasised that while innovation must be encouraged, regulatory oversight remains essential.
“We must give AI an open sky, but keep the reins in our hands,” Modi remarked, highlighting the need to balance rapid technological advancement with ethical safeguards.
The Prime Minister said India is not only a builder of technology but also among the fastest adopters globally. He pointed to the enthusiasm of the younger generation and the strong response to the summit exhibition as evidence of the country’s growing digital confidence.
Describing artificial intelligence as a historic turning point, Modi said transformative phases in human history have shaped centuries of progress, and AI represents one such moment capable of redefining civilisation’s trajectory.
The summit at Bharat Mandapam is being attended by several global leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Estonian President Alar Karis, and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.