Key Points:
- Delhi hosts first Global South AI summit on February 19-20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam
- India challenges Western control over AI rules, data, and computing power
- Summit focuses on AI impact for poor, rural, and developing societies
- Over 100 countries and 100 global CEOs expected, including French President Macron
- Key themes include AI employment, governance, democracy, and ethics for Global South
The biggest debates about artificial intelligence in the world have so far taken place in Western countries, but that picture is about to change. After London, Seoul, and Paris, a global discussion on the future of AI, its regulations, and ethical boundaries is now going to take place in Delhi. The India AI Impact Summit is not just a tech event, but a signal of a shift where the power and direction of AI are moving from the West towards the Global South.
Until now, the global agenda related to AI has primarily been set in Western capitals. In London, the discussion centered on AI safety and its associated risks. In Seoul, balancing technology and industry. In Paris, the debate was on regulation and ethics. However, the needs of developing countries, poor populations, and rural societies were often overlooked in these meetings. Now, Delhi is going to fill this void.
India’s Big Claim: Not Just a User, but a Rule-Making Country
Through the India AI Impact Summit, India is sending a clear message that it wants to be not just a consumer of AI, but a country that sets the rules, models, and ethical framework for AI. This is a direct extension of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Made in India, Made for the World” vision. India wants to demonstrate leadership at three levels in this summit: Policy Leadership through practical and inclusive rules for AI, Technology Leadership with AI models applicable at the population level, and Moral Leadership ensuring AI serves human welfare, not control.
West vs. Global South: The Shift in AI Power
Today, the West holds the data in AI, computing power is concentrated in a few countries, and the rules are made by those who have the resources. India is challenging this equation. India argues that the biggest impact of AI will be on poor, rural, and developing societies, the rules should also be made with their participation. This represents a fundamental reimagining of global AI governance that could reshape how technology serves humanity.
What Will Be the Real Issues Debated at the Summit
The summit will tackle five critical themes that differentiate it from Western-centric discussions. AI and Employment will examine automation versus new opportunities in labor markets where informal employment dominates. AI and Governance will explore applications in health, education, and social welfare for populations lacking basic services. AI and Democracy will address deepfakes and electoral threats in nations with emerging democratic institutions. AI and the Global South will focus on affordable and scalable solutions that work with limited infrastructure. AI Governance will cover ethics, data security, and accountability frameworks that reflect diverse cultural values. India’s focus is not just on safety, but also on impact and inclusion.
What Are India’s Greatest Strengths
India brings three unique advantages to global AI leadership. First, its Digital Public Infrastructure, including Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker, provides a foundation for population-scale AI deployment. Second, its Scale and diversity mean AI that works in India can be applied anywhere in the world, with 1.4 billion people representing multiple languages, cultures, and economic contexts. Third, its Non-Aligned Tech Approach positions India as neither US-centric nor China-centric, offering a truly independent voice in technology governance.
Why Is the Delhi Summit So Important
Today, AI is not just a technology, but a question of economic power, military capability, and information control. This debate is crucial in Delhi so that AI can be seen as a tool for global public good rather than a weapon of power. The summit represents a historic opportunity to democratize AI governance and ensure the Global South has an equal voice in shaping technology that will affect billions of lives.
When and Where Will the Summit Be Held
The India AI Impact Summit will be held on February 19-20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This will be the first global AI summit to be held in the Global South. Experts, leaders, policymakers from over 100 countries, and more than 100 global CEOs will participate. The presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and leaders from major companies like Google, Nvidia, and Qualcomm is also expected, signaling international recognition of India’s emerging AI leadership.
