Day 4 of the India AI Summit 2026 LIVE: PM Modi Introduces 'MANAV Vision', Prioritizing the Global South in AI Governance + Sam Altman Calls India the Future AI Leader + Mukesh Ambani Promises ₹10 Lakh Crore Jio AI!

Day 4 of the India AI Impact Summit: PM Modi promotes the Global South as the center of governance and introduces the "MANAV Vision" for human-centric AI. Sam Altman believes India will lead AI in the future, as Mukesh Ambani announces an investment of ₹10 lakh cr. live highlights!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the gathering during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on February 19, 2026. Credit: PMO via PTI

Day 4 of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 LIVE: PM With Ambani and Altman generating enormous momentum, Modi introduces the "MANAV Vision" and demands global south-led AI governance.

The fourth day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam became a turning point in the history of the global AI conversation. During the leaders' plenary session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the lead in introducing India's ambitious "MANAV Vision," a daring, human-centered blueprint for moral, responsible, and fully inclusive artificial intelligence. In an inspiring speech, he emphasized that the goals and concerns of the Global South must be central to the future development of AI regulations.

"There is no limit to the level of unethical behavior in AI," Prime Minister Modi said, his words resonating in a crowded auditorium full of CEOs, researchers, inventors, and world leaders. "We can't let this technology turn into an instrument for dominance or division. In order to create a plan for responsible impact that doesn't leave anyone behind, we must unite not just the influential few but all voices.

A complete structure that prioritizes people is laid out in the MANAV Vision, which stands for Modern, Accountable, Needs-based, Accessible, Value-driven AI. It includes strong accountability mechanisms, ethical safeguards against bias and misuse, democratized access to AI tools for all citizens (particularly in underserved and rural areas), and a clear emphasis on value-driven innovation that advances humanity rather than takes advantage of it. Modi underlined India's resolve to use AI to empower people, from tiny businesses utilizing it to expand to farmers using precision agriculture apps, and to make sure the technology reaches the final mile.

He also didn't hold back while discussing government. "AI regulations cannot ignore the Global South," he added. "The discussion must be shaped from Day 1 by our realities, which include youth energy, economic diversity, and climate vulnerability." It sent a strong message to the AI narrative favored by the West: Silicon Valley boardrooms cannot decide the future alone.

The tech sector was rocked by the big-ticket announcements that followed the Prime Minister's speech, which was met with roaring cheers. 

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani took the initiative and made the following incredible promise: Over the next seven years, Reliance Jio plans to invest ₹10 lakh crore, or more than $120 billion, in artificial intelligence and associated technologies. "We will do the same with AI, just as we democratized mobile data and changed lives across India," declared Ambani. He pledged to construct huge computational infrastructure, establish vast language models in several languages tailored to India, and offer AI-powered solutions for small businesses, healthcare, education, and agriculture. Drawing comparisons to Jio's data revolution, which made 4G available to hundreds of millions of Indians at incredibly low prices, he continued, "AI will not be a luxury – it will be a right for every Indian."

Following that, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was unreserved in his praise of India's potential. "India will be a major force behind AI innovation in the future," he claimed at a fireside talk. The skill, scale, energy, and increasingly the infrastructure are all in your favor. India will significantly impact how this technology develops on a global scale. According to Altman, AI will not only replace existing professions but also generate "new and better" ones, particularly in creative, analytical, and human-centered industries. The winner would be shaped by the nations that act quickly and carefully, he said, subtly acknowledging India's initiative.

Day 4 also featured more in-depth discussions on real-world AI applications, including talks on youth skill development, gender-inclusive technology, and climate resilience (including the announcement of the winners of the YUVAi Global Challenge). Indian firms were demonstrating everything from vernacular voice assistants to AI-powered crop disease detection on the crowded expo floor.

All eyes are on whether a "Delhi Declaration" on AI governance—one that accurately reflects the voice of the Global South, as Modi demanded—emerges as the conference enters its last day tomorrow, February 20. With Altman's support and Ambani's investing strength, India is establishing itself as a force to be taken with in the AI era, rather than merely a participant.

This is more than just a conference; it's India establishing its position in the fundamental technologies of our day. Bharat Mandapam is the live source of REAL BREAKING NEWS. As Day 5 progresses, we'll provide you with every significant announcement, statement, and update. Which aspect of India's AI drive most excites you—Altman's projection, Jio's massive investment, or the MANAV Vision? Leave your comments below!