Shaping a human-centric future for artificial intelligence

AT A defining moment in human history, the world gathered at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

- NARENDRA MODI

INDIA'S Prime Minister Narendra Modi, says human history has witnessed many technological shifts that changed the course of civilisation. Artificial Intelligence belongs in the same league as fire, writing, electricity, and the internet. I AFP

(AFP)

For us in India, it was a moment of immense pride and joy to welcome Heads of State, Heads of Government, delegates and innovators from across the world.

India brings scale and energy to everything it does, and this summit was no exception. Representatives from over 100 nations came together. Innovators showcased cutting-edge AI products and services. Thousands of young people could be seen in the exhibition halls, asking questions and imagining possibilities.

Their curiosity made this the largest and most democratised AI summit in the world. I see this as an important moment in India’s development journey, because a mass movement for Al innovation and adoption has truly taken off.

Human history has witnessed many technological shifts that changed the course of civilisation. Artificial Intelligence belongs in the same league as fire, writing, electricity, and the internet. But with AI, changes that once took decades can unfold within weeks and impact the entire planet.

Al is making machines intelligent, but it is even more a force multiplier for human intent.

Making AI human-centric instead of machine-centric is vital. At this summit, we placed human well-being at the heart of the global AI conversation, with the principle of ‘Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya’ (Welfare for All, Happiness of All).

Ihave always believed that technology must serve people, not the other way around.