From Disaster Risk to Food Security: UN Presses for People-Centered AI at the Global Summit
The AI Impact Summit 2026 opened on February 16 in India’s capital, uniting world leaders, ministers, researchers, and technology experts to explore how artificial intelligence can drive inclusive development and sustainable progress. The summit is expected to see participation from over 20 Heads of State, 60 ministers, and more than 500 global AI experts over its five-day duration.
AI and Global Cooperation
In an opening day interview, Amandeep Gill, the UN Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, emphasized that convening the summit in the Global South aims to broaden participation in shaping the future of AI. He remarked that this gathering represents a significant step toward making AI-related decision-making more inclusive. The first Global AI Governance Dialogue, set for July 2026, will enable countries to collaborate on policy approaches.
The UN Secretary-General proposed a voluntary global fund of up to $3 billion to support nearly 90 at-risk countries. Additionally, a 40-member international scientific panel on AI has been established to monitor developments and impacts, providing evidence-based reports to inform governments, companies, and society.
Gill noted that AI has the potential to significantly transform agriculture, education, industry, and climate action. AI applications can help identify sources of emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and improve infrastructure planning. However, he cautioned that the rapid expansion of AI systems is increasing the demand for energy, water, and other resources, particularly for data centers. Ethical use of AI, with human oversight and strong governance arrangements, is essential to mitigate risks such as misinformation.
AI and Disaster Preparedness
The summit also highlighted AI’s role in disaster risk reduction. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, stated that AI can enhance the ability to anticipate hazards, identify risk-prone areas, and enable timely preparedness and relief measures. He cited AI-based flood forecasting systems as an example, noting their speed and accuracy compared to traditional methods.
AI and Gender Equality
During a high-level session on gender and technology, Soha Ali Khan, an advocate for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, raised concerns about the rising risks women face in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. She stressed the need for strong ethical safeguards in AI to ensure safety and protect rights. At a separate event, the launch of the AI Casebook on Gender and Agriculture addressed the structural gaps in AI design, highlighting that fewer women involved in AI system development leads to products that do not reflect women’s realities.
The Casebook, developed in collaboration with UN Women, showcases 23 AI solutions that demonstrate measurable gender impact, ethical design, and global replicability, advancing equity and safety.
AI and Regulatory Preparedness
Institutional readiness was another focus of the summit. UNESCO and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Government of India launched the India AI Readiness Assessment Methodology Report. This report, developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, highlights India’s strong AI talent base and identifies priority actions for legal and ethical oversight, inclusive workforce transitions, and sustainable AI infrastructure planning.
AI and Public Health
The summit also showcased health applications of AI. The WHO South-East Asia Region launched the Casebook on AI Health Use Cases Across the Global South, featuring examples of AI tools that help standardize and improve healthcare delivery. These scalable solutions demonstrate how AI can enhance health outcomes and promote equitable access to care.
AI and Agriculture
In a session titled “AI for Agriculture: Data Sharing and Multimodality to Feed the Future,” Vincent Martin from the Food and Agriculture Organization emphasized the need for AI to be rigorously tested and responsibly governed to serve farmers effectively.
AI and Food and Nutrition Security
Food and nutrition security were prominent topics at the summit, with the World Food Programme showcasing technology and AI solutions to strengthen food systems. Their exhibition featured innovations aimed at bridging nutrition gaps and included the top ideas from the hackathon “NourishNext,” focused on AI-powered solutions for nutrition challenges.
The summit highlighted a commitment to utilizing AI in ways that enhance human welfare and meet global challenges through collaborative efforts and ethical considerations.
