- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:45 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
After championing equitable financial access for the Global South during the 2023 G-20 Summit in New Delhi, India is now positioning itself as a global advocate for inclusive and democratic Artificial Intelligence (AI).
At the AI Impact Summit beginning Monday in the national capital, India has set the tone with the slogan, “For the welfare of all, for the happiness of all,” underscoring its vision to make AI benefits accessible to both rich and developing nations alike.
The four-day summit, organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, aims to promote AI that is safe, trustworthy and development-oriented. S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, said India wants to send a clear message that advancements in AI must prioritise human development and inclusivity.
India’s AI policy framework emphasises ensuring that no country or community is left behind in the AI revolution. The government is advocating for open and accessible AI resources that can positively impact education, healthcare, agriculture, skilling, environment, women’s empowerment and industry.
During the summit, India is expected to unveil its own AI model, designed to be democratic, secure and aligned with public welfare goals. Officials say the model has been developed with sector-specific applications in mind, particularly for developing economies.
Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, described AI as a “double-edged sword,” stating that while it offers immense opportunities, the government must also mitigate potential risks, especially long-term impacts on society and children.
The summit has drawn participation from representatives of over 100 countries, with more than 2,50,000 registrations from India and abroad. Several global technology leaders are associated with the event, including Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI; Yann LeCun of Meta Platforms; Brad Smith of Microsoft; Sundar Pichai of Google; and Bill Gates.
This is the fourth global AI summit, with the previous edition held in South Korea.
The global AI market is currently valued at approximately USD 288 billion, while India’s AI market stands at around USD 8 billion. The United States and China remain the largest investors in AI, but India is aiming to carve out a leadership role by promoting responsible and inclusive innovation.
Through this summit, India seeks to position itself not just as a consumer of AI technologies but as a developer and global leader advocating for equitable and human-centric AI development.