By Micah Jonah, February 19, 2026
World leaders, technology stakeholders have converged on India’s capital for a high-level global summit on artificial intelligence (AI), with calls for stronger regulation, inclusive access and responsible innovation dominating discussions.
The five-day AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, now in its fourth edition, has drawn prominent figures including United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and French President, Emmanuel Macron. The meeting follows previous AI gatherings hosted in France, South Korea and the United Kingdom since 2023.
Addressing participants on Thursday, Guterres warned against allowing the future of AI to be controlled by what he described as “the whims of a few billionaires.” He called on major technology firms and global investors to support a proposed $3 billion international fund aimed at ensuring open and equitable access to AI tools and infrastructure, particularly for developing nations.
Macron emphasized the need for collaborative global governance of artificial intelligence, stating that Europe is committed to shaping the rules of the emerging technology alongside strategic partners such as India. He maintained that Europe is not solely focused on regulation but also remains a hub for innovation and investment within a secure framework.
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi used the platform to highlight his country’s growing footprint in the AI ecosystem. He stressed that AI must serve the global common good and called for open systems that allow broader participation, particularly among young innovators.
“India believes that AI technology will only be beneficial when it is shared and its core systems are open,” Modi said, adding that successful AI models developed in India could be deployed worldwide.
The summit has focused on key concerns including job displacement, child safety, regulatory oversight and ethical safeguards as AI technologies rapidly evolve.
While attendance at this year’s summit is reportedly the largest yet, one notable absence was Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who withdrew shortly before his scheduled appearance. The Gates Foundation said the decision was taken to keep attention on the summit’s priorities.
India, hosting its first global AI summit, is seeking to position itself as a leading force in the fast-growing sector. The country recently climbed to third place in a global AI competitiveness ranking compiled by researchers at Stanford University.
However, industry analysts note that despite its ambitions and infrastructure investments, India still faces significant challenges in closing the gap with the United States and China, which remain dominant players in the AI race.
As the summit draws to a close on Friday, stakeholders are expected to issue recommendations aimed at balancing innovation with safeguards to ensure AI development benefits humanity while mitigating potential risks.
