New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared India’s ambition to rank among the top three global artificial intelligence (AI) superpowers by 2047, framing the technology as central to the nation’s development goals during the inaugural India AI Impact Summit 2026. The summit, the first of its scale hosted in the Global South, convened heads of state, ministers, technology leaders and industry stakeholders under the motto “Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye” – “Welfare for all, happiness for all.”
Addressing the summit, Modi asserted that AI represents a “civilisational inflection point,” capable of expanding human capabilities but also potentially destabilizing social structures if not guided responsibly. He emphasized the require for an “impact-first” approach, prioritizing equitable outcomes over mere innovation. “The end goal of technology should be ‘Welfare for All, Happiness of All’. Technology exists to serve humanity, not replace it,” Modi stated, according to a transcript released by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The summit’s structure, built around the themes of People, Planet, and Progress, reflects India’s commitment to ensuring AI’s benefits are widely accessible, particularly to nations in the Global South. Modi highlighted the importance of inclusive datasets, climate applications, agricultural productivity, public health, and multilingual access as central priorities, rather than peripheral concerns. “AI systems draw upon knowledge and data generated across societies worldwide. We seek AI’s benefits to be diffused to everyone and not just hoarded by early adopters,” he said.
The Prime Minister specifically linked AI’s development to India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision – a plan for India to become a developed nation by 2047. He envisions Indian startups, research institutions, and the broader technology ecosystem developing AI solutions to enhance manufacturing, improve governance, and generate employment opportunities. Modi further stated that Indians should experience AI as “an enabler of opportunity, a multiplier of capability, a servant of human dignity, not as a threat to their livelihood.”
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 aims to establish a platform for amplifying under-represented voices and development priorities in the global AI landscape. The summit’s focus on human-centric AI development underscores India’s intention to shape the global conversation around AI governance and ensure the technology aligns with its civilisational values.
As of press time, no specific policy announcements or funding commitments were made during the summit’s opening day. Further deliberations are scheduled throughout the week, with a focus on establishing collaborative frameworks for AI research, development, and deployment.
