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India aims to lead AI discourse as global summit convenes in New Delhi

Feb 16, 2026, 6:27 AM10
(Update: Feb 16, 2026, 6:27 AM)
country in South Asia
capital city of India

India aims to lead AI discourse as global summit convenes in New Delhi

  • India hosts the first AI Summit in New Delhi, integrating technology leaders and state heads from across the globe.
  • The summit aims to position India as a bridge between advanced economies and the Global South regarding AI development.
  • The event emphasizes AI's potential to promote inclusive growth and its critical role in India's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
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India is currently holding a significant artificial intelligence summit in New Delhi, featuring a five-day agenda that brings together political leaders and technology executives from around the world. The India AI Impact Summit is noteworthy as it is the first summit addressing AI issues in the Global South, focusing on the technology largely developed in affluent countries. The event underscores India's ambition to establish itself as a pivotal player in the global AI ecosystem, leveraging its status as the most populous nation and one of the fastest-growing digital markets. With participation from 20 heads of state, including notable political figures like French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, this summit seeks to project India's vision of responsible and inclusive AI. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the attendees, further endorsing the importance of the summit. Among the tech industry leaders expected to participate are Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. Their presence indicates the summit's focus on bridging the gap between developed economies and the Global South. The objective of the summit, as highlighted by India's Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, is to promote AI for shaping humanity and fostering sustainable growth. India is aiming to utilize AI to enhance various sectors, from energy and manufacturing to public infrastructure, in line with its aspiration to become a developed nation by the year 2047. The summit reflects the ongoing transformation of global economies and labor markets driven by AI technology, raising essential considerations surrounding regulation, security, and ethics. While the summit may not lead to binding agreements, it is anticipated to produce non-binding declarations or pledges outlining collective goals for the development and utilization of AI. Previous summits have shown a trend toward discussions on governance and the risks associated with advanced AI systems, emphasizing the need for collaborative international efforts. Recent reports addressing the risks posed by AI and ongoing governance initiatives by entities like the United Nations indicate a global consensus on the need for cautious advancement in the field, highlighting the critical nature of the issues at hand as countries navigate the rapid evolution of AI technology.

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