United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended India for spearheading efforts in addressing artificial intelligence challenges through the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 16 to 20. Guterres emphasized the critical importance of AI in global relations, labeling it as one of the most significant challenges of our time. He lauded India for taking the lead in organizing such summits, highlighting the necessity for countries to collaborate and engage with civil society on this pressing issue.
The summit has garnered significant interest, with over 35,000 participants from 100 countries already registered, including more than 500 startups. This event is anticipated to be the largest among the four summits conducted to date, reflecting a growing international focus on responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence with tangible impacts. Guterres intends to urge world leaders at the summit to enhance international cooperation in supporting capacity building efforts in developing nations.
Furthermore, Guterres will align his summit message with the outcomes of the Global Digital Compact adopted during the 2024 UN Summit of the Future. This compact outlines principles for collaborative action to ensure equitable digital advancements that address environmental, economic, and human rights concerns. The International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, established by the General Assembly, aims to report on AI developments and foster global governance dialogues.
