London: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called upon world leaders and industry experts at India AI Impact Summit 2026 to leverage AI for global good and empowerment of all. Addressing the official opening of the AI Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that artificial intelligence must be guided toward the common good, describing it as a historic turning point capable of shaping civilisation and transforming the pace of global development.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Modi noted that while younger generations are embracing artificial intelligence with enthusiasm, others remain uncertain, emphasizing that such transformative technologies require careful direction to ensure they deliver solutions rather than risks if allowed to stray from intended goals.
Modi said India's hosting of the summit reflects its commitment to welfare and happiness for all, including the Global South, stressing that AI should be given freedom to innovate while remaining guided by responsible governance and human oversight.
Addressing the event, French President Emmanuel Macron said India and France set a global guiding principle for transformative technologies while co-hosting the AI Action Summit in Paris, aiming to shape societies and economies worldwide.
He added that India's achievements are unprecedented, highlighting its digital identity for 1.4 billion people, a payment system processing 20 billion monthly transactions, and a health infrastructure issuing 500 million digital health IDs.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the double-edged nature of AI, emphasizing that its future cannot be determined by a few countries or billionaires, stressing the need for inclusive global governance and responsible use.
He added that if guided correctly, AI can advance sustainable development, improve medicine, education, food security, climate action, and public services, but if mismanaged, it risks deepening inequality, amplifying bias, and increasing energy and water demands from data centers and supply chains.