Along with the MANAV Vision for AI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed some optimism about the future of artificial intelligence. During his speech at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, he stated that AI will create new job opportunities, just as the internet did. While this does not provide an answer to the frequently asked question, ‘Will AI replace jobs?’, it does have the potential to change people’s perception of AI.
“When the internet first launched decades ago, no one could have predicted how many jobs it would generate. The same is true for AI,” the Prime Minister stated, claiming that the future of work in artificial intelligence is still being written. “It is difficult to predict what types of jobs will be created in this field in the future. The future of work in AI is uncertain. It will be determined by our decisions, as well as our course of action.”
Modi positioned AI as an opportunity rather than a threat, claiming that collaboration between humans and machines would define the next decade. “This is the era of humans and intelligent systems working together,” he said. “We are entering an era where humans and intelligent systems co-create, co-work and co-evolve,” he added.
The statement comes amid a growing global debate about automation and job displacement, with many economies grappling with how to prepare their workforce for AI-driven disruption. However, Modi framed the shift as an opportunity to reconsider skills, productivity, and innovation.
He also stressed India’s readiness to play a key role in the AI ecosystem. “India sees a bright future for AI. We have the talent, energy capacity, and policy clarity,” he said, citing the country’s large pool of engineers, expanding digital infrastructure and changing regulatory framework.
In a sign of domestic momentum, the Prime Minister announced that three Indian companies will present their own AI models and applications at the summit. “These models showcase the talent of our youth,” he said, inviting global firms and researchers to work with Indian partners.