New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched the ‘MANAV’ vision for artificial intelligence, emphasizing a human-centric, ethical, and inclusive approach. Speaking at the AI Impact Summit, he highlighted the need for AI to serve humanity, ensure welfare and happiness, and remain under human control.
Under the MANAV framework, 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 stressed that India sees AI as a fortune and future, not a threat, advocating open-source and shared AI codes that allow young innovators to contribute globally.
The summit drew global participation, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and CEOs from leading technology companies. Modi said India’s approach to AI prioritizes child safety, ethical use, and empowerment of the Global South, while enabling the technology to enhance human capabilities and open new opportunities in innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative roles.
Highlighting India’s potential, he noted that the country, home to one-sixth of humanity and the largest youth population, has already seen three Indian companies launch AI models and apps at the summit, reflecting the nation’s depth of talent and innovation.
“AI must have an open sky, but the reins must remain in human hands,” Modi said, citing GPS as an example where AI offers guidance but humans make the final decisions. He stressed that India is not just participating in the AI revolution but leading and shaping it, balancing rapid technology adoption with ethical governance and long-term responsibility for future generations.
