In a sharp political exchange at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026, a senior leader from the main opposition party mocked the government’s newly unveiled MANAV framework for artificial intelligence, saying that “there is no treatment for this (A)cronym (I)nfection.”
At the summit in New Delhi, the Prime Minister outlined India’s MANAV vision for AI a human-centric strategy emphasising ethical use, accountability, national data sovereignty, accessibility and legitimacy. He said the framework aims to make artificial intelligence a tool for welfare and inclusive growth rather than a threat, and pitched India as a leader in shaping global AI governance.
However, the opposition leader took to social media to criticise the acronym itself, dismissing it with a playful jab: “The PM unveils his MANAV vision for AI. There is simply no treatment for this (A)cronym (I)nfection.”
Supporters of the ruling party quickly defended the AI summit and its outcomes, arguing that political sniping over terminology detracts from the country’s progress in emerging technologies. They described the event as successful and said it highlighted India’s growing influence in the global tech arena.
The exchange adds a political dimension to what was intended to be a technology-focused gathering, with both sides seeking to frame the AI agenda to their advantage ahead of key electoral contests later this year.
The India AI Impact Summit continues through the week with global delegates, industry leaders and policymakers participating in discussions on AI ethics, innovation and governance.
