India AI Summit 2026: World leaders urge AI governance and responsible use

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 has convened global leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence while stressing the need for responsible governance.

Speaking to IANS, Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Food Programme (WFP), highlighted that the agency is well-positioned to leverage AI due to its extensive data resources and global logistics network.

"We are really ahead. We already have a strategy. We have been using AI for several years," Skau said. "We have an advantage given the fact that we are the largest agency with a huge supply chain capacity. Our procurement is centralised, and we also have a lot of data and a lot of expertise on data. Bringing that together with AI really gives us a powerful tool."

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UN High Commissioner calls for ethical AI

Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasised that while AI offers enormous promise, its development must be guided by ethical safeguards, cautioning that unchecked technological power could pose significant risks.

"AI has an incredible force for good, but we also need to bear in mind that it is about power, and when you exercise power, you also need guardrails and constraints," Turk said. "It is not about stifling creativity or innovation; it is about putting it on the right track, and human rights are going to do just that."

Lithuania minister highlights global cooperation

Edvinas Griksas, Lithuania’s Economy and Innovation Minister, described the summit as a major global platform fostering international cooperation.

"Delhi, India, is the heart of AI today. Many leaders and presidents are coming here, and we are happy to share good practices, learn more, and collaborate," he said.

Positive reviews from technology experts

Anna Sytnik, CEO of Coordination Lab and a Russian university professor, praised the event’s organisation and highlighted sessions on cyber peace and AI governance. She also noted strong public interest, with many sessions filled to capacity.

India AI Impact Summit 2026

India is hosting what is being described as one of the largest global gatherings on artificial intelligence. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is underway from February 16 to 21 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, which was previously scheduled till February 20, 2026.

According to the official announcement by national broadcaster Akashvani, the exhibition will now remain open to the public on Saturday, February 21, in addition to the previously scheduled dates. The decision has been taken to manage public footfall effectively and provide attendees with adequate time to explore the exhibits.

However, authorities clarified that the Expo will remain closed to the public on Thursday, February 19, due to access-restricted events scheduled on that day. The temporary closure is aimed at avoiding inconvenience to the general public.

The summit has attracted representatives from over 110 countries and 30 international organisations, including around 20 heads of state or government and nearly 45 ministers.

The 2026 edition marks the fourth in the series, following previous summits in the United Kingdom (2023), South Korea (2024), and France (2025). Organisers said additional dignitaries are expected to arrive, reinforcing the summit’s focus on international collaboration and inclusive, AI-driven development.

With IANS inputs