E-Paper
Watch: AI translates PM Modi's speech at Delhi summit to sign language real time
As PM Modi spoke, behind him at a huge screen played an animation showing live artificial intelligence-enabled sign language interpretation of his speech.
A key artificial intelligence feature became a highlight during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inaugural address at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Delhi Pragati Maidan as his speech was translated into sign language in real time.
As PM Modi spoke, behind him on a huge screen played an animation showing live artificial intelligence-enabled sign language interpretation of his speech.
During his address, PM Modi said that India sees the future in artificial intelligence, adding that the country has the “talent, energy and policy clarity” for the same.
Track live updates of AI Impact Summit 2026 here.
He also called for democratisation of artificial intelligence and said that the benchmark for AI development must be “welfare and happiness for all”.
“AI has to be democratised, humans cannot be left to become a data point, it has to become medium of inclusion and empowerment especially for the Global South”, he said.
Emphasising on the relationship between AI and humans, the Prime Minister said that AI needs to be given an open sky while the reins of the commands stay with humans.
“We are entering an era where humans and intelligent systems co-create, co-work and co-evolve,” he said.
Also read: PM Modi presents ‘MANAV Vision’ at AI Summit: What it stands for
‘MANAV’ vision
PM Modi, while addressing the summit where he also hosted several world leaders, unveiled the ‘MANAV’ vision for artificial intelligence and its impact on society.
MANAV stands for-
M - moral and ethical systems
A - accountable governance
N - national sovereignty
A - accessible and inclusive
V - valid and legitimate
“This MANAV vision of India will become an important link for the welfare of humanity in the AI-based world of the 21st century,” he said.
Also read: 'India sees fortune in AI, not fear': PM Modi at India AI Summit
AI a civilizational turning point
PM Modi said that artificial intelligence is an important point of transformation in history, the kinf which sets the direction of civilisation and will shape the trajectory of nations.
“There have been certain turning points that have shaped entire countries. These turning points set the direction of civilisation and transform the pace of development. Artificial intelligence is one such transformation in history,” he said.
“AI is making machines intelligent and, at the same time, it is multiplying human capabilities many times over,” he said.
“The real question today is not what AI can do, but what humans can do with it.”
PM Modi made the remarks on the fourth day of the AI Impact Summit 2026 at Delhi's Pragati Maidan which was also attended by several world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Hellenic Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Switzerland President Guy Parmelin, Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Estonian President Alar Karis, among others.
