New Delhi, India — India is hosting a major artificial intelligence summit this week, bringing together heads of state, senior policymakers, and leading technology executives for a five-day gathering that underscores AI’s growing global influence.
The India AI Impact Summit marks the first time the high-level forum is being held in the Global South, shifting the spotlight beyond wealthy nations where most advanced AI systems are developed and dominated by major tech corporations. The event comes at a pivotal moment as artificial intelligence rapidly transforms economies, reshapes labor markets, and intensifies debates around regulation, security, and ethics.
From generative AI tools capable of producing text, images, and code to advanced systems powering defense platforms, healthcare diagnostics, and climate modeling, AI has become central to government strategies and corporate investments worldwide.
Previously hosted in France, the United Kingdom, and South Korea, the summit has evolved significantly — expanding from an initial focus on AI safety to a broader global platform addressing innovation, trade, governance, and responsible deployment of emerging technologies.
With participation from nearly 20 world leaders and top tech CEOs, India aims to position itself as a key voice in shaping the future of artificial intelligence in a more inclusive and multipolar digital order.
India aspires to be a rising AI power
India — the world’s most populous nation and one of the fastest-growing digital markets — sees the summit as an opportunity to project itself as a bridge between advanced economies and the Global South.
Officials said the country’s experience in building large-scale digital public infrastructure, including digital identity and payment platforms, offer a model for deploying AI at scale while keeping costs low.
“The goal is clear: AI should be used for shaping humanity, inclusive growth and a sustainable future,” India’s Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
The summit begins Monday and will be attended by 20 heads of state and government, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a session Thursday.
Google’s Chief Executive Sundar Pichai, Qualcomm’s CEO Cristiano Amon, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, Microsoft’s President Brad Smith and AMI Labs Executive Chairman Yann LeCun are also expected to attend.
Indian executives hope the summit will highlight the country’s role as a driver of national capacity, economic resilience, and long-term growth.
“As India advances toward its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, AI will play a crucial role in strengthening large-scale systems — from energy and manufacturing to public infrastructure,” said Sumant Sinha, CEO of NASDAQ-listed clean energy firm ReNew.
As in many parts of the world, concerns are growing in India over AI’s potential disruption to jobs across the technology sector and related industries. However, experts stress that large-scale reskilling initiatives can help mitigate the risks.
“There is genuine concern around this issue, and we should not underestimate its impact. But from an Indian perspective, the focus is strongly on reskilling programs. As AI becomes more mainstream, we will also see new job roles emerging,” said Sangeeta Gupta, Senior Vice President at Nasscom, the leading association representing India’s technology industry.
SOURCE : AGENCIES | Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |
