Welcome Address
19 Feb 2026 09:45h - 10:00h
Welcome Address
Summary
Speaker 1 opened the event by acknowledging the leader who conceived the summit and inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver the inaugural address [1-2].
Modi began by declaring India the centre of a vast tech talent pool and the largest example of a tech-enabled ecosystem, noting the country’s rapid creation and adoption of new technologies [5-7].
He welcomed heads of governments, AI ecosystem leaders and innovators, emphasizing the participation of delegates from more than 100 nations [8-12][15].
The Prime Minister highlighted the unprecedented enthusiasm of the younger generation for AI, describing their swift acceptance and ownership of the technology as a new phenomenon [17-20].
He argued that AI is a transformative power that can make machines intelligent and amplify human capabilities, but its impact is now arriving at a speed and scale never seen before [29-34].
Drawing a parallel with nuclear power, Modi warned that AI, like any powerful technology, can cause disruption if directionless, but can provide solutions when guided responsibly [43-48].
He framed the summit’s purpose as defining how AI can be both machine-centric and human-centric, stressing the need for ethical guidance, accountable governance and national sovereignty over data [51-59][60-66].
Modi advocated for AI to be treated as a global common good, calling for open-source sharing so that millions of young minds can improve safety and inclusivity [88-91].
He announced the creation of global standards, including authenticity labels for digital content analogous to nutrition labels on food, to help users distinguish real from AI-generated material [92-99].
The speech also stressed child safety, proposing that AI curricula be curated like school syllabi and that safeguards be built into the technology from the start [100-103].
Highlighting India’s growing capabilities, Modi noted that three Indian companies launched AI models and apps at the summit, showcasing domestic talent and solutions [113-115].
He described India’s broader ecosystem-semiconductor manufacturing, quantum computing, secure data centres and a dynamic startup environment-as a natural hub for affordable, scalable AI solutions [116-119].
Concluding, Modi invited international partners to design and develop AI in India, asserting that collaborative, human-centric AI will shape a bright future for humanity [120-122].
Keypoints
– India’s claim as a leading AI and technology hub – Modi highlights India’s vast tech talent pool, rapid adoption of new technologies, and its role as a source of pride for the Global South, noting participation from over 100 countries and the launch of Indian AI models and apps at the summit[5-7][13][15][113-115].
– Call for responsible, human-centric AI governance – He stresses that the key question is what we do with AI today, urging direction-focused development, ethical guidance, transparent rules, robust oversight, and inclusive access, and frames the summit’s purpose around these principles[38-48][59-66].
– AI as a catalyst for the future of work and the need for mass skilling – The speech describes AI-human co-creation, the emergence of smarter, more efficient work, and the necessity of large-scale up-skilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning to ensure inclusive, trusted, human-centric employment[70-79][80-81].
– Advocacy for open, shared AI as a global common good – Modi contrasts secretive strategic approaches with India’s stance that AI should be openly shared, with code released to empower millions of young minds, positioning AI as a strategic asset that benefits the world when democratized[85-91][88-91].
– Emphasis on safety, authenticity, and standards – He calls for global standards akin to nutrition labels for digital content, watermarking, and authenticity labels to combat deep-fakes, and stresses child safety and curated AI environments similar to school curricula[92-99][100-104].
Overall purpose/goal
The address serves to launch the Global AI Impact Summit, articulate India’s vision of positioning the country as a central, inclusive, and ethical AI hub, and to rally international leaders, innovators, and policymakers around shared standards, open development, and responsible deployment of AI for humanity’s benefit.
Overall tone
The tone begins with formal ceremony and national pride, shifts to an enthusiastic and visionary outlook on AI’s transformative potential, adopts a serious, cautionary note when discussing responsibility, ethics, and safety, and concludes with confident, optimistic calls to action and collaboration. The progression moves from celebratory to visionary, then to responsible urgency, and finally to hopeful determination.
Speakers
– Speaker 1
– Role/Title: Event moderator / host (introducing the Prime Minister) [S1]
– Area of Expertise:
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi
– Role/Title: Prime Minister of India; Host of the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit [S4]
– Area of Expertise: Politics, governance
Additional speakers:
_None_
The ceremony opened with Speaker 1 formally inaugurating the Global AI Impact Summit and inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver the inaugural address [1-2].
Prime Minister Modi began by greeting a long list of dignitaries and thanking the assembled crowd, then declared India the “centre of the tech talent pool” and the “biggest example of a tech-enabled ecosystem”, emphasizing that the nation is both creating and rapidly adopting new technologies [3-7] and positioning India as a source of pride for the Global South [13].
He noted that delegates from over 100 countries were present, underscoring the summit’s global scope [8-12][15], and highlighted the extraordinary enthusiasm of the younger generation, describing the rapid adoption of AI by youth as a “new phenomenon” [17-20][22].
Modi observed that artificial intelligence is making machines intelligent while simultaneously multiplying human capabilities, and stressed that the impact of AI is arriving at a speed and scale never before seen-what once took decades now unfolds within months, moving from “machine learning to learning machine” [29-34].
Turning to policy, he framed the central question as what humanity does with AI today rather than speculative future scenarios, warning that, like nuclear power, AI can become a source of disruption if directionless but can provide solutions when guided responsibly [38-42][43-48].
The summit’s core purpose, he said, is to make AI both machine-centric and human-centric [38-42][43-48].
To operationalise this, Modi introduced the MANAV Vision-a human-centric ethical framework comprising:
* M – Moral & ethical guidance,
* A – Accountable governance with transparent rules & robust oversight,
* N – National data-sovereignty,
* A – Accessible & inclusive AI,
* B – Valid & legitimate (verified) AI [70-78][51-59][60-66].
He contrasted India’s approach with that of some other nations that treat AI as a confidential strategic asset, asserting that India views AI as a global common good and advocating open-source sharing so that “millions of young minds” can improve safety and inclusivity [84-91]. Using a GPS analogy, he described AI as an “open-sky” tool that gives direction, while the choice of direction remains with humanity [90-93].
Modi called for the creation of global standards akin to nutrition labels, proposing “authenticity labels” for digital content combined with watermarking and source-verification mechanisms to help users distinguish genuine material from AI-generated deep-fakes [92-99].
On child safety, he likened the curation of AI environments to the design of school syllabi, insisting that safeguards be built into platforms and that AI curricula be family-guided [100-104]. He noted two prevailing attitudes toward AI-fear and optimism-and declared that India chooses the latter, seeing “luck” and opportunity rather than dread [100-104].
Addressing the future of work, Modi asserted that AI will reshape employment but not by destroying jobs; instead, humans and intelligent systems will co-create, co-work and co-evolve, leading to smarter, higher-value roles. He urged a mass movement in skilling, reskilling and lifelong learning to ensure the workforce can thrive in an AI-augmented economy [70-79][80-81].
Highlighting India’s broader technological ecosystem, he cited a growing semiconductor and chip-making industry, advances in quantum computing, secure data-centre infrastructure, a strong IT background and a dynamic startup environment, which together make India a natural hub for affordable, scalable and secure AI solutions [116-120]. He also announced that three Indian companies launched their AI models and applications at the summit, showcasing the talent of Indian youth [115-117].
Concluding, Modi thanked the audience, reaffirmed the summit’s mission to deliver AI solutions for humanity, and expressed confidence that collaborative, human-centred AI will propel a bright future for all [121-122].
These points echo external observations that India’s human capital is central to global AI strategy [S25], that the nation’s youth are driving rapid AI adoption [S26], and that there is a growing international consensus on human-centred AI principles [S30][S31].
Friends, the leader who made this, who gave this vision to the world, I now invite the Honorable Prime Minister for your inaugural address. Give a big round of applause for the Honorable Prime Minister.
Excellencies, Honorable Ministers, Industry Leaders, Innovators, Entrepreneurs, Researchers, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Delegates, Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. This is the center of the tech talent pool. It is the biggest example of a tech -enabled ecosystem. India is also making new technology and is also adopting it at an unprecedented speed. I welcome all of you, heads of governments, global AI ecosystem leaders, and innovators to this summit. I welcome all of you, heads of governments, global AI ecosystem leaders, and innovators to this summit. I welcome all of you, heads of governments, global AI ecosystem leaders, and innovators to this summit. I welcome all of you, heads of governments, global AI ecosystem leaders, and innovators to this summit.
I welcome all of you, heads of governments, global AI ecosystem leaders, and innovators to this summit. India is the source of pride for the entire Global South. In this summit, AI world’s who’s who is present here. The representation of more than 100 countries, from every corner of the world, the great people have come here. They are taking its success to new heights. In this, the presence of the young generation, we have seen, that is a new phenomenon. It creates a new belief. Generally, about new technology, in some people, in the beginning, there was a suspicion. But the speed with which the young generation of the world is accepting AI, is taking ownership of it, is using AI, is incredible.
It is incredible. Here, the exhibition of AI summit is also very exciting. Especially, the young talent has come in a large number. Agriculture, security, the help of the people of Divya, the help of the multilingual population, the help of the people of the region, the help of the people of the region, the help of the people of the region, the help of the people of the region, the help of the people of the region, the help of the people of the region, the help of the people of the region, the help of the people of the region, made in India ki taakat aur Bharat Satyam manav itihas mein har kuch satabhiyon ke baat ek turning point aata hai.
Aur wo turning point sabyata ki disha reset karta hai. Aur wahi se vikas ki raptar badalti hai. Sochane, samajane aur kaam karne ke paradigm badalti hai. Aur dilchasp baat ye hai jab hum transformation ke usdaur mein hotay hai tab uske vastrik impact ka andaja bhi nahi hota. Jab pattharon se pehli baat sa spark nikla kisi ne nahi socha tha ki vahee chingari civilizational ki foundation banegi jab boli ko pehli baar leepy me badla gaya kisi ne nahi jana tha ki return knowledge future system ki backbone banegi jab pehli baar signals ko wireless transmit kia gaya kisi ne kalpana nahi ki thi ki ek din puri duniya real time me connect ho gi saathio artificial intelligence manav itihas ka aisa hi transformation hai aaj jo ham dekh rahe hai jo predict kar rahe hai hai hai AI is only the initial indication of its impact.
AI is making machines intelligent. But it is also increasing human resources many times. The difference is only one. This time, the speed is also incredible. And the scale is also incredible. Earlier, it took decades to see the impact of technology. Today, the journey from machine learning to learning machine is fast, deep and also fast. That is why, we have to keep our vision big. and responsibility is also very important. With the current generation, we have to worry about the fact that in the hands of the coming generations, we will not be able to give the form of AI. That is why today the real question is not what artificial intelligence can do in the future.
The question is what we do with artificial intelligence in the present. What do we do with artificial intelligence? What do we do with artificial intelligence? Such questions have come before humanity. The most powerful example is nuclear power. We have seen its destruction. and positive contribution is also seen. AI is also a transformative power. If it is directionless, then disruption. If it gets the right direction, then solution. How to make AI machine -centric and human -centric? How to make AI machine -centric and human -centric? How to make AI machine -centric and human -centric? This is the main purpose of this Global AI Impact Summit. This is the main purpose of this Global AI Impact Summit. This is the main purpose of this Global AI Impact Summit.
This is the main purpose of this Global AI Impact Summit. This is the main purpose of this Global AI Impact Summit. This is the main purpose of this Global AI Impact Summit. This is the main purpose of this Global AI Impact Summit. This is the main purpose of this Global AI Impact Summit. This is the main purpose of this Global AI Impact Summit. sarvajan sukhaay welfare for all happiness of all yahi hamara benchmark hai AI ke liye insan sirp data point na ban jaye insan sirp raw material tak simit na rai jaye isliye AI ko democratize karna hoga isse inclusion aur empowerment ka madhyam banana hoga aur vishes rupse global south saathiyo haan hume AI ko open sky bhi dena open sky bhi dena and command is also in our hands like GPS GPS gives us a way but in which direction we have to go its final call is ours today we will take AI in which direction our future will be decided today in New Delhi AI Impact Summit I for AI M A N A V M A N A V Manav Manav Vision I present to you that we are human human human And Manav Vision says, M, moral and ethical systems, i .e.
AI, based on ethical guidance. A, accountable governance, i .e. transparent rules, robust oversight. And national sovereignty, i .e. data. A, accessible and inclusive. B, valid and legitimate, i .e. AI. lawful or verifiable ho. Bharat ka ye manav vision 21 sadhi ki AI aadharit duniya mein manavta ke kalyan ki aham kadhi banega. Saathiyon dasak ko pehle jab internet ki shuruwaad hoi toh koi soj bhi nahi pata tha ki iss se kitni jobs banegi. Yehi baat AI mein hai. Aaj kalpana karna muskil hai ki aane wale samay iss film mein kis tarah ki jobs pada hogi. AI ka future of work and predefined nahi hai. This will depend on our decisions and our course of action. I understand that for us, the future of work is a new opportunity.
This is the time to work together with humans and intelligent systems. 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 impactful. I am sure that our future will be bright. We will design better, build faster and make better decisions. higher value, creative, and meaningful roles will also be achieved. This is a great opportunity for innovation, entrepreneurship, and new industries. Therefore, we have to make skilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning a mass movement. Friends, the future of work will be inclusive, trusted, and human -centric. If we move forward together, artificial intelligence will take the power of humanity to new heights.
Friends, it is said that the sun rises. The sunlight is the best disinfectant. A .I. is the biggest security. Some countries and companies believe that A .I. is a strategic asset. That is why it should be developed in a confidential way. But the thinking of India is different. We believe that a technique like A .I. will be useful for the world when it will be shared. When the codes will be opened and shared, then our millions of young minds will be able to make them better and safer. That is why A .I. is a strategic asset. We take the decision that AI will be developed as a global common good. Friends, today’s very big need is to create global standards.
We are creating standards for deep facts and fabricated content in open societies. In the physical world, we look at the nutrition label on food so that we know what we are eating. In the same way, we look at the digital world. In the same way, we should have an authenticity label on content. So that people know. that what is real and what is made from AI. As AI is making more text, images and videos, in the same way, watermarking and clear source standards are increasing in the industry. That is why it is important that this trust is built in technology from the beginning. Friends, we need to be more aware of children’s safety. We need to be more aware of children’s safety.
Just like the school syllabus is curated, the AI space is also curated. Child safety is also a part of it. and family guided. Friends, there are two types of people in the world today. One, those who see fear in AI. They always talk like this. Such people who see fear in AI. And the other ones are those who see luck in AI. And friends, I say with responsibility, with pride, we are not afraid. India sees luck in AI. India sees a future in AI. We have talent and we have There is energy capacity and policy clarity. And I am happy to tell you that in this summit, three Indian companies have launched their AI models and apps.
These models show the talent of our youth. And the solutions that India is providing, are also a reflection of its depth and diversity. Friends, from India’s semiconductor and chip making to quantum computing, India is building a resilient ecosystem. Secure data center. strong IT background, dynamic startup ecosystem, make India a natural hub for affordable, scalable, and secure AI solutions. India also has diversity, democracy, and democracy. The AI model that succeeds in India can be deployed globally. That is why I invite all of you to Design and Develop in India. Thank you. Deliver to the world. Deliver to humanity. Thank you.
“India possesses a huge talent pool of young, vibrant, intelligent, educated people and is the centre of the tech talent pool.”
The knowledge base notes that India has a huge talent pool of young, vibrant, intelligent, smart, educated people, with one of the world’s largest populations under 30 contributing to the ecosystem [S7].
“The summit highlighted the extraordinary enthusiasm of the younger generation, describing the rapid adoption of AI by youth as a “new phenomenon”.”
Youth empowerment and enthusiasm were emphasized across the summit, with speakers noting a consensus on the importance of youth and the large young talent pool in India [S42] and [S7].
“Artificial intelligence is making machines intelligent while simultaneously multiplying human capabilities, and the impact is arriving at a speed and scale never before seen—what once took decades now unfolds within months, moving from “machine learning to learning machine”.”
The source states that AI makes machines intelligent, multiplies human resources, and that the speed and scale are incredible; previously impacts took decades, now the journey is from machine learning to learning machine [S46].
“Modi introduced the MANAV Vision – a human‑centric ethical framework comprising Moral & ethical guidance, Accountable governance, National data‑sovereignty, Accessible & inclusive AI, and Valid & legitimate (verified) AI.”
The MANAV Vision was unveiled at the summit, described as rooted in moral guidance, transparent oversight, national control of data, inclusive access and lawful verification, matching the listed components [S55] and further detailed in the discussion of the framework [S56].
“India treats AI as a global common good and advocates open‑source sharing, contrasting with other nations that treat AI as a confidential strategic asset.”
India’s approach is portrayed as embracing knowledge as a common good, pursuing strategic autonomy while sharing its Digital Public Infrastructure openly, in contrast to restrictive, strategic-asset models elsewhere [S15] and [S58].
The discussion consists of a brief introductory remark by Speaker 1 followed by an extensive address from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apart from the shared procedural purpose of opening the AI summit, there is no substantive overlap in arguments or viewpoints between the two speakers. Consequently, the level of consensus on policy‑relevant issues is minimal, limiting the immediate impact on the broader AI agenda.
Low – agreement is limited to the ceremonial opening of the summit; substantive policy consensus is absent, suggesting that further multi‑stakeholder dialogue will be needed to build common positions on AI governance, inclusivity, and standards.
The transcript shows virtually no substantive disagreement. Speaker 1’s role is limited to a ceremonial introduction, and the Prime Minister’s speech is a single, cohesive narrative presenting India’s AI vision and policy priorities. Consequently, the discussion is largely harmonious, with shared endorsement of the summit’s goals.
Minimal – the lack of opposing viewpoints suggests strong consensus among the participants present, implying smooth alignment on AI policy direction within this forum.
The speech’s most impactful moments revolve around reframing AI from a distant, potentially dangerous technology to an immediate, human‑centric tool that must be governed responsibly, openly, and equitably. By shifting focus to present actions, proposing concrete mechanisms like authenticity labels, and positioning India as an advocate for open, inclusive AI, the Prime Minister steered the discussion toward collaborative policy‑making, workforce transformation, and global equity. These comments collectively redirected the tone from speculative hype to pragmatic optimism, creating clear pathways for further dialogue among participants.
Disclaimer: This is not an official session record. DiploAI generates these resources from audiovisual recordings, and they are presented as-is, including potential errors. Due to logistical challenges, such as discrepancies in audio/video or transcripts, names may be misspelled. We strive for accuracy to the best of our ability.
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