Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Industry Leaders, Innovators, Entrepreneurs, Researchers, Delegates, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen - Namaste!

A heartfelt welcome to all of you at the world’s largest and historic AI Impact Summit. This summit is being held in India, a nation that represents one-sixth of humanity. India is home to the world’s largest youth population, the biggest pool of tech talent, and one of the most expansive tech-enabled ecosystems. India not only creates new technologies but also adopts them at an unprecedented pace. On behalf of 1.4 billion Indians who are eager to embrace innovation, I extend a warm welcome to all Heads of Government, leaders of the global AI ecosystem, and innovators present here. I express my deepest gratitude for your presence.

The fact that this summit is being hosted in India is a matter of pride not only for India but for the entire Global South. The who’s who of the AI world are here today. With representation from over 100 countries and distinguished participants from across the globe, this summit is reaching new heights of success. The strong presence of the younger generation instills fresh confidence. Normally, new technologies are met with skepticism in their early stages. Yet, the speed and trust with which the world’s youth are embracing AI, taking ownership of it, and using it, is truly extraordinary. The exhibition at this summit has also generated immense enthusiasm, especially among young talent who have come in large numbers. The solutions presented here - in agriculture, security, assistance for persons with disabilities, and addressing the needs of multilingual populations - are powerful examples of Made in India strength and India’s innovative capabilities.

Friends,

In human history, every few centuries a turning point arrives - one that resets the direction of civilization, changes the pace of development, and transforms the paradigms of how we think, understand, and work. The fascinating part is that when we are living through such a transformation, we rarely grasp its true impact. When sparks were first struck from stone, no one imagined that this would become the foundation of civilization. When speech was first turned into script, no one foresaw that written knowledge would become the backbone of future systems. When signals were first transmitted wirelessly, no one could have imagined that one day the entire world would be connected in real time.

Friends,

Artificial Intelligence is such a transformation in human history. What we see today, what we predict today, are only the early signs of its impact. AI is making machines intelligent, but more importantly, it is multiplying human capability many times over. The difference this time is that both the speed and the scale are unprecedented. Earlier, it took decades for technology to show its impact. Today, the journey from machine learning to learning machines is faster, deeper, and broader. Therefore, our vision must be equally expansive, and our responsibility equally profound. Alongside the present generation, we must also consider what form of AI we will hand over to future generations. The real question is not what Artificial Intelligence can do in the future, but what we choose to do with it today. Humanity has faced such questions before. The most powerful example is nuclear power - we have seen its destructive force, and we have seen its positive contributions. AI too is a transformative power: if directionless, it leads to disruption; if guided rightly, it becomes a solution. How to make AI human-centric rather than machine-centric, sensitive and responsible rather than reckless - this is the core purpose of the Global AI Impact Summit.

Friends,

India’s perspective on AI is clearly reflected in the theme of this summit: Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya - Welfare for all, Happiness for all. This is our benchmark. AI must not reduce human beings to mere data points or raw material. Therefore, AI must be democratized. It must become a medium of inclusion and empowerment, especially across the Global South.

Friends,

We must give AI the open sky, but keep the command in our own hands. Just like GPS - it suggests the route, but the final decision of direction is ours. The path we choose for AI today will determine the future we create tomorrow.

Friends,

At the New Delhi AI Impact Summit, I present India’s vision for AI - M.A.N.A.V. (MANAV), meaning human. The MANAV vision stands for: M – Moral and Ethical Systems: means AI must be built on ethical guidelines. A – Accountable Governance: means Transparent rules and robust oversight. N – National Sovereignty: means Data belongs to those who generate it. A – means Accessible and Inclusive: AI must not be a monopoly, but a multiplier. V – means Valid and Legitimate: AI must be lawful and verifiable. India’s MANAV Vision will be a vital link for human welfare in the AI-driven world of the 21st century.

Friends,

Decades ago, when the internet began, no one imagined how many jobs it would create. The same is true for AI. Today, it is difficult to predict what kinds of jobs will emerge in this field. The future of work is not pre-defined; it will depend on our decisions and our course of action. I believe the future of work is a new opportunity. This is the era of humans and intelligent systems working together. “We are entering an era where humans and intelligent systems co-create, co-work, and co-evolve.” AI will make our work smarter, more efficient, and more impactful. We will design better, build faster, and make stronger decisions. More people will find higher-value, creative, and meaningful roles. This is a great opportunity for innovation, entrepreneurship, and new industries. Therefore, skilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning must become a mass movement.

Friends,

The future of work will be inclusive, trusted, and human-centric. If we move forward together, Artificial Intelligence will elevate the capacity of humanity to new heights.

Friends,

It is said: “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” means Transparency is the greatest safeguard. Some countries and companies believe AI is a “strategic asset” and must be developed confidentially. But India thinks differently. We believe AI will benefit the world only when it is shared. When codes are open and shared, millions of young minds can make them safer and better. Therefore, let us resolve to develop AI as a Global Common Good.

Friends,

Another urgent need today is to establish global standards. Deepfakes and fabricated content are destabilizing open societies. In the physical world, we see nutrition labels on food so we know what we are consuming. Similarly, in the digital world, content must carry authenticity labels so people know what is real and what is AI-generated. As AI produces more text, images, and videos, the need for watermarking and clear source standards grows. That is why trust must be built into technology from the very beginning.

Friends,

We must become even more vigilant about children’s safety. Just as a school syllabus is carefully curated, the AI space too must be child-safe and family-guided.

Friends,

Today, the world is divided into two kinds of people: those who see fear in AI - and speak only of that fear - and those who see fortune in AI.

And friends,

I say this with responsibility and with pride: India does not see fear in AI. India sees fortune in AI. India sees the future in AI. We have the talent, we have the energy and capacity, and we have policy clarity. I am delighted to share that during this summit, three Indian companies have launched their own AI models and apps. These models showcase the talent of our youth and reflect the depth and diversity of the solutions India is offering.

Friends,

India is building a resilient ecosystem - from semiconductors and chip-making to quantum computing. Secure data centers, a strong IT backbone, and a dynamic startup ecosystem make India a natural hub for affordable, scalable, and secure AI solutions. India has diversity, demography, and democracy. Any AI model that succeeds in India can be deployed globally. Therefore, I invite all of you: Design and Develop in India. Deliver to the World. Deliver to Humanity. Once again, I extend my warmest wishes to all of you.

Thank you!

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MJPS/VJ/ST