UN Chief to Attend AI Impact Summit in India as Global South Shapes AI Governance
The AI Impact Summit 2026, a landmark event focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), is set to take place in New Delhi, India, from February 16 to 20. This summit marks the first time a major global gathering on AI will be hosted in the Global South.
Objectives of the Summit
Organized by India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the summit aims to unite a diverse group of stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, industry leaders, academics, and civil society. Their collective goal is to explore how AI can be used responsibly to promote sustainable development.
Over the course of five days, more than 30 events will be organized by the UN system, focusing on critical areas such as:
- Agriculture and food security
- Gender equality
- Public health
- Digital public infrastructure
- Disaster risk reduction
- Online safety for children
Shared Understandings for Effective Governance
In a statement ahead of the summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the necessity of establishing shared understandings to create effective guardrails for AI, unlock innovation for the common good, and foster international cooperation. He indicated that the discussions would center on how AI can expedite progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals while also safeguarding human rights and mitigating emerging risks.
UN Delegation and Key Participants
The summit will feature a high-level delegation from the UN, including:
- Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Amandeep Singh Gill, Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies
- Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction
Additionally, prominent figures such as Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, and Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization, will also participate.
Key Topics and Events
UN-led events during the summit will cover a broad array of topics, including:
- AI for resilient agriculture
- Health systems innovation
- Ethical AI governance
- Women’s leadership in technology
- Digital capacity-building in the Global South
- Responsible business practices
Officials have characterized this summit as a pivotal moment for international cooperation on emerging technologies, emphasizing the importance of including perspectives from developing countries in global AI discussions.
