"AI lifts everyone up and reforms social good for generations to come": Cisco India MD Harish Krishnan at AI Impact Summit 2026
New Delhi, February 16
Highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, Harish Krishnan, Managing Director and Chief Policy Officer Cisco Systems India, stated on Monday that AI is reforming social good for generations to come and effectively augmenting essential human capabilities.
Speaking at the 'India AI Impact Summit 2026' on the theme 'Democratising AI Resources for Economic Growth and Social Good', Krishnan emphasised that the skills that matter most are human skills, noting that "AI agents are doing it effectively." He further underlined the industry's collaboration with the public sector, stating, "At CISCO, we align the mission of using AI to make life better with the help of the government," while prioritising a commitment to secure frameworks.
Illustrating the practical application of this vision, Krishnan discussed the impact of AI on the agricultural sector through the 'Krishi Mangal' programme. "Our programme, Krishi Mangal, is in multiple languages for farmers using Sovereign AI. We have 44,000 women farmers, and the AI and our programme are boosting their incomes and improving livelihoods," he added.
Beyond agriculture, Krishnan pointed out the technology's diverse utility in governance and security, noting that "even in prisons like Tihar, AI is being used for vigilance of the inmates."
He asserted that "AI lifts everyone up and reforms social good for generations to come," a perspective that aligns with the broader national and global objectives of the event.
To formalise these goals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. The event features an unprecedented roster of Presidents, Prime Ministers, Crown Princes, and the brightest minds from Silicon Valley, as India hosts the AI Impact Summit 2026.
The summit marks a historic milestone as the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South. It brings together leaders, policymakers, technology companies, and innovators to deliberate on AI's transformative potential across governance, innovation, and sustainable development.
The AI Impact Summit, which kicked off on Monday in New Delhi, will welcome world leaders from across 20 countries, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also attend the event.
Running from February 16 to 20, the Impact Summit showcases New Delhi's ambition to shape an AI future that is inclusive, responsible, and impactful. At the core of these high-level deliberations is India's audacious vision for sovereign AI, which is anchored in three guiding pillars, or Sutras: People, Planet, and Progress.
These Sutras frame international collaboration, while the Summit's specific discussions are conducted through Chakras, or Working Groups. These groups span seven linked themes: Human Capital; Inclusion for Social Empowerment; Safe and Trusted AI; Science; Resilience; Innovation and Efficiency; and Democratising AI Resources alongside AI for Economic Development and Social Good.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While the vision is grand, I hope the focus on 'secure frameworks' is real. Data privacy for our farmers and citizens is non-negotiable. The summit must deliver concrete policies, not just promises.
Hosting the first global AI summit in the Global South is a massive win for India's tech diplomacy! Shows our leadership in the new world order. The People, Planet, Progress Sutras sound like a solid foundation.
The emphasis on "human skills" is crucial. In the rush to adopt AI, we must not forget to upskill our workforce. Hope the 'Human Capital' Chakra addresses this with actionable plans for education and reskilling.
AI in Tihar for vigilance? Interesting application. If it improves security and rehabilitation, great. But we need transparency on how such surveillance tech is used to prevent misuse. The 'Safe and Trusted AI' group has its work cut out.
Love the focus on Sovereign AI. We cannot be dependent on foreign tech giants for our core infrastructure. Jai Hind! Let's build our own capabilities and lead the way for other developing nations. ✨
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