India AI Impact Summit: Modi Calls AI a ‘Force Multiplier’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is done with the fear-mongering about robots. On February 18, 2026, he spoke at the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam. He told ANI that he knows kids are scared of losing their jobs. But he says, “Preparation is the best antidote to fear.” He called AI a “force multiplier” for human brains. He thinks tech will shift the work, not just end it. He wants every worker to learn digital tricks right now.

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The data shows India is actually winning. Modi pointed out that India is now 3rd in the Stanford Global AI Vibrancy Index 2025. Last year, the country was 7th. That is a massive jump. India is now chasing only the US and China. The government is spending big to keep this lead. Budget 2026 put ₹1,000 crore into the IndiaAI Mission. There is also a ₹1-lakh-crore pot for deep-tech research. Experts say India needs one million AI pros by December.

Modi said history is his best proof. People were once terrified of steam engines. Then they feared computers. But those tools made millions of new roles. He thinks AI will help doctors reach tiny villages. He also mentioned “Bharat-VISTAAR,” a new tool for farmers. The goal is “Welfare for All.” He wants India to be a “creator” of tech, not just a buyer. He wants a $400 billion IT sector by 2030.

But it is not all sunshine. Modi warned about deepfakes and bad bias. He said machines must serve people, not the other way around. New “Education to Employment” (E2E) groups are fixing school books. They want AI in every classroom. Modi is betting on “talented youth” to lead. He believes if India stays ahead in skilling, the job market will grow. The AI era is here, and Modi wants India to own the whole thing.

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