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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the critical importance of robust data governance and the dangers of misinformation during a high-level roundtable with leaders from 16 artificial intelligence and deep-tech startups at the ongoing AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
The startups at the meeting represent companies working on solutions for significant challenges across various sectors of the Indian economy. According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, these firms collectively “reflect an ecosystem addressing local needs while building global leadership in AI-driven innovation.”
During the discussions, Modi highlighted several priority areas for AI development in India, particularly calling for technological solutions tailored specifically to the country’s unique needs and contexts. He stressed that as AI technologies continue to advance rapidly, proper data governance frameworks would be essential to ensure responsible innovation.
The Prime Minister explored potential AI applications across multiple sectors, with a particular focus on agriculture and environmental protection. Specifically, he discussed how AI tools could monitor crop productivity and optimize fertilizer usage to protect soil health—critical issues for India’s agricultural sector, which employs nearly half the country’s workforce.
Modi also advocated for expanding AI tools to support “higher education in mother tongue,” reflecting India’s ongoing efforts to make advanced education more accessible in the country’s diverse regional languages. This initiative aligns with broader government policies promoting education in native languages rather than solely in English.
The AI Impact Summit 2026, taking place February 16-20, has attracted over 20 heads of state and approximately 500 global AI leaders to New Delhi, positioning India as an emerging hub for discussions on artificial intelligence policy and innovation. The summit comes as countries worldwide grapple with how to regulate and harness AI technologies that are advancing at unprecedented speed.
On the sidelines of the summit, Modi held bilateral meetings with several international dignitaries. The Indian External Affairs Ministry confirmed discussions with the presidents of Sri Lanka and Slovakia.
Following his meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Modi shared on social media platform X that they “took stock of the progress in India-Sri Lanka relations in recent times” and explored potential cooperation in energy, connectivity, infrastructure, healthcare, skills development, culture, and the blue economy. These talks reflect India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with neighboring countries amid growing regional competition.
In a separate meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Modi emphasized the importance of making AI technologies inclusive and accessible globally. “Reiterated India’s support towards any effort aimed at harnessing AI for a better planet,” Modi noted after the meeting. He added that they also exchanged perspectives on UN reforms, “especially giving greater voice to the Global South,” highlighting India’s advocacy for developing nations in international forums.
The summit and Modi’s engagement with AI stakeholders underscore India’s growing ambitions in the global technology landscape. As one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies with a burgeoning tech sector, India is positioning itself at the intersection of technological innovation and policy development, particularly in emerging fields like artificial intelligence.
The government’s focus on AI applications for agriculture, education in regional languages, and other sectors reflects its approach of leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address development challenges while promoting inclusive growth across the diverse nation of nearly 1.4 billion people.
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7 Comments
Interesting to see Modi push for AI solutions in areas like agriculture and environmental protection. Data-driven tools could really boost productivity and sustainability if implemented thoughtfully. Curious to learn more about the specific AI applications being explored.
Agreed, the potential for AI in those sectors is exciting. But the devil is in the details when it comes to data governance and responsible deployment. Modi will need to strike the right balance to unlock the benefits while addressing risks.
Robust data governance is certainly critical as AI continues to advance. Modi is right to emphasize the importance of responsible innovation tailored to India’s unique context. Careful oversight will be key to harnessing AI’s potential while mitigating risks.
Misinformation is a growing challenge globally, so I’m glad to see Modi taking a strong stance on combating it. Robust data frameworks and transparency will be crucial as AI systems become more advanced and influential. These are important issues for India to grapple with.
Absolutely. Disinformation can have huge societal impacts, so Modi is right to prioritize this. Proactive governance around data and AI will be key to fostering public trust and ensuring these technologies are used for the greater good.
India’s AI ecosystem sounds quite impressive, tackling local needs while aiming for global leadership. Modi’s focus on tailoring solutions to the country’s unique context is smart. Curious to see what specific AI applications emerge from this summit.
Data governance is a complex challenge, but essential as AI becomes increasingly ubiquitous. Modi’s warnings about misinformation are well-founded. Responsible innovation and transparency will be critical to realizing AI’s potential benefits for India.