India Hosts AI Summit as Safety Concerns Grow
NEW DELHI, Feb 16, 2026 – A global artificial intelligence summit kicks off in New Delhi on Monday, addressing significant issues such as job disruption and child safety. However, some attendees express concern that the broad focus of the agenda may hinder the likelihood of concrete commitments from world leaders.
The demand for generative AI has surged, boosting profits for many tech companies, yet anxiety is mounting regarding the risks it poses to society and the environment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the five-day AI Impact Summit, aiming to establish a “shared roadmap for global AI governance and collaboration.”
Significance of the Summit
This year marks the fourth annual gathering, following previous international meetings in Paris, Seoul, and Bletchley. The Indian government anticipates approximately 250,000 visitors from various sectors, including 20 national leaders and 45 ministerial-level delegations.
Prominent figures, including Sam Altman of OpenAI and Sundar Pichai from Google, are expected to attend, although Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Modi aims to strengthen global partnerships and define India’s leadership in the upcoming AI decade during talks with leaders like Emmanuel Macron of France and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil.
Accountability Concerns
Despite the high-profile nature of the summit, there are doubts about whether meaningful steps will be taken to hold AI giants accountable. Amba Kak, co-executive director of the AI Now Institute, noted that previous industry commitments often resulted in narrow self-regulatory frameworks, allowing AI companies to essentially self-assess their practices.
AI Safety Focus
The agenda includes a strong emphasis on AI safety, highlighting the dangers of misinformation, such as deepfakes. Recent backlash over Elon Musk’s Grok AI tool, which allowed the creation of sexualized images of real people, including children, has brought child safety and digital harms to the forefront.
Kelly Forbes, director of the AI Asia Pacific Institute, mentioned a growing emphasis on ensuring that generative AI does not lower barriers to harmful content. While there is potential for real change, the pace may not be sufficient to address these pressing issues.
A Vision for AI
This summit is notable as the first to be hosted by a developing country. Organizers emphasize their goal of shaping a shared vision for AI that serves the many, not just the privileged few. India’s recent rise to third place in an annual global ranking of AI competitiveness, surpassing South Korea and Japan, underscores its ambitious plans for innovation.
However, experts caution that despite aspirations for large-scale infrastructure, India still faces challenges in matching the capabilities of the United States and China. Seth Hays, author of the Asia AI Policy Monitor newsletter, predicts discussions will center around ensuring governments implement necessary regulations without stifling AI development.
While there may be announcements for increased state investment in AI, it is crucial for India to forge international partnerships to enhance its role in the global AI landscape.
