INDIA-Global political leaders, technology executives and policymakers are participating in a week-long Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impact Summit in New Delhi, India.
The 2026 AI Summit aims to shape the future of artificial intelligence (AI), governance and global digital cooperation.
The summit, held at the Bharat Mandapam convention complex in New Delhi, brought together heads of state, United Nations officials and leaders from major technology companies to discuss how artificial intelligence can drive economic growth while protecting humanity from technological risks.
Speaking at the Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged world leaders and technology innovators to ensure artificial intelligence serves humanity and remains accessible to all nations, especially developing countries.
Indian Prime Minister Modi described artificial intelligence as a defining force of the 21st century and called for a “human-centric” approach to innovation.
“Artificial intelligence marks a transformative chapter in human history. India is not just a part of the AI revolution, but is leading and shaping it,” he said.
Minister Modi stressed that technological progress should not deepen global inequality, emphasising that developing nations must be included in AI development through shared knowledge, affordable digital infrastructure and international cooperation.
He highlighted India’s expanding digital economy and growing technology workforce, positioning the country as an emerging global hub for artificial intelligence research and innovation.
According to him, collaboration between governments, private companies and academic institutions will be essential to ensure AI benefits society as a whole.
Global leaders attending the summit echoed similar concerns about governance and fairness. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that artificial intelligence should not be controlled by a small number of powerful actors, urging the creation of international frameworks to guide ethical AI development.
In a release issued Thursday, the Indian Embassy near Monrovia noted that French President Emmanuel Macron also emphasised the need to balance innovation with citizen protection, particularly in safeguarding young people from harmful online content and misuse of emerging technologies.
The release noted that technology industry executives, at the same time, outlined the economic potential of artificial intelligence.
Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai described AI as one of the most significant technological shifts since the internet, predicting advances in healthcare, education and scientific discovery.
OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman highlighted the importance of cooperation between governments and private innovators to ensure safe and responsible deployment of advanced AI systems worldwide.
The release says the summit resulted in new commitments promoting transparency, safety standards and responsible innovation as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into global economies. Participants also discussed challenges such as job displacement, cybersecurity risks, misinformation and unequal access to technology.
For developing regions, including Africa, the summit’s emphasis on inclusion carries significant implications. Experts noted that artificial intelligence could help countries accelerate development through improved agriculture, digital education systems, healthcare diagnostics and efficient public administration.
The summit concluded with a shared pledge to strengthen global cooperation on artificial intelligence and to continue dialogue on regulation and innovation. Organisers announced that future meetings will further address how countries can harness AI responsibly while ensuring its benefits are shared widely.
As discussions ended in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi’s message resonated strongly among delegates: the success of artificial intelligence will depend not only on technological breakthroughs but on humanity’s collective responsibility to guide its future.