NEW DELHI: India’s AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded in New Delhi on Friday with high-profile commitments from global tech titans and world leaders but also raised questions about execution and governance at one of the largest artificial intelligence gatherings ever hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the summit at Bharat Mandapam, cast the event as a turning point in India’s bid to become a global hub for AI innovation and accessibility. Leaders from more than 80 countries joined CEOs from companies including OpenAI, Google and Microsoft to discuss how AI can drive economic growth—but also how to govern its rapid expansion responsibly.
Modi said the summit’s work could help ensure “inclusive and low-cost AI solutions, especially tailored for the Global South,” as India pushes its digital infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. The event also produced a New Delhi Declaration, a non-binding agreement by participating nations to promote ethical, equitable AI development and collaboration.
Major investment announcements underscored the economic stakes: Microsoft outlined a multibillion-dollar commitment to AI initiatives in developing markets, and OpenAI formalized partnerships with Indian firms to build AI capacity and data centers.
Yet the summit was not without friction. Organizers grappled with access issues and logistical glitches early in the week, and some delegates and attendees criticized the mix of high-level commerce and policy talk for overshadowing deeper debates on AI risks and societal impact.
The gathering highlighted India’s growing influence in shaping the global AI agenda, while exposing the complexities of aligning technology, governance and global cooperation in a rapidly evolving digital world.