Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday outlined a comprehensive roadmap for the ethical use of artificial intelligence, and warned that “without human values and guidance, this technology could be self-destructive.”
He stressed that artificial intelligence needs a foundation of clear human values and direction, believing that the technology must be combined with human trust to achieve meaningful global impact.
Addressing the leaders’ plenary session of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi, the Prime Minister said India is committed to fostering a responsible and human-centric global ecosystem.
Prime Minister Modi said, “I have three suggestions for excellence and ethical use of AI. First, a data framework should be developed for AI training while respecting data sovereignty. The saying in AI is, ‘wrong input, wrong output’. If the data is not secure, balanced and reliable, the output will not be trustworthy. Therefore, a global trusted data framework is necessary.”
Speaking on the technological and corporate aspects of AI development, Prime Minister Modi called for ending the era of “black box” algorithmic culture, where decisions taken by AI are opaque and hidden. He advocated a change towards full transparency.
“We need a glass box approach, rather than a black box, where safety regulations can be seen and verified. This will make accountability more clear and also encourage ethical behavior in business,” he said.
Citing a famous thought experiment in AI safety research, the Prime Minister warned about the “paperclip problem”, a scenario where an AI with a narrow goal like making a paperclip consumes all available resources due to a lack of ethical guidelines.
He warned, “If a machine is given the sole goal of making paperclips, it will continue to do so, even if it means consuming all the resources of the world.”
To prevent such unintended disasters, the Prime Minister stressed that AI needs clear human values and guidance integrated into its core programming.
The Prime Minister said that development of intelligence is not possible in a vacuum. By combining technological advancements with human ethics, India aims to lead the world in building a digital ecosystem that is both innovative and secure.
The Prime Minister said, “It is believed that this summit will play an important role in building a human-centric, responsive global AI ecosystem. If we look at history, we know that humans have converted every obstacle into a new opportunity. Today, we have such an opportunity once again. We have to together transform this obstacle into humanity’s biggest opportunity.”
Taking forward his vision of global equality, PM Modi called for the democratization of artificial intelligence, and argued that it should act as a mechanism of inclusion and empowerment rather than treating individuals as mere data points or raw material.
He said that India does not view this technology with apprehension but as a blueprint for the future, provided its development remains transparent.
Addressing a gathering of world leaders and industry leaders, Prime Minister Modi said, “We have to give free rein to AI, but at the same time we have to keep its reins in our hands.”
The Prime Minister highlighted how AI is set to improve global systems, making them more efficient and smarter.
He said this technology will pave the way for more creative professional roles and will serve as an important driving force for innovation and entrepreneurship.
On the subject of transparency, he compared India’s approach with more cautious global approaches.
He said, “Some countries believe that AI should be developed in a confidential and closed manner. But India is different. We believe that AI will truly work in the interest of the world only when it is shared and its codes are made public. Only then will millions of young minds be able to make it even better.”
Prime Minister Modi said that while there is a divide globally between those who view AI with skepticism and those who recognize its potential, India has firmly chosen the latter side.
He asserted, “I say with pride and responsibility that we do not see fear. India sees prosperity in AI, India sees the future in AI. India sees opportunity in AI and the blueprint of tomorrow.”
