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Sunak: India's AI Optimism Contrasts With Western Anxiety

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak highlighted a significant global divide in public perception of artificial intelligence, noting India displays immense optimism while Western nations experience anxiety. He spoke at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, emphasizing that closing this confidence gap requires deliberate policy intervention alongside technological progress. The summit, hosted in the Global South for the first time, brings together over 110 countries to advance global cooperation on AI governance. Guided by principles of People, Planet, and Progress, the event promotes human-centric and equitable AI development.

Key Points: Rishi Sunak on India's AI Optimism vs. Western Anxiety

  • Global AI confidence gap exists
  • India shows optimism and trust
  • Western nations feel anxiety
  • Bridging gap needs policy, not just tech
  • Summit aims for human-centric AI governance
2 min read

"Enormous optimism and trust in India": Former UK PM Rishi Sunak on closing the global AI confidence gap

Former UK PM Rishi Sunak highlights the global AI confidence gap, noting India's trust contrasts with Western anxiety at the AI Impact Summit.

"In countries like India... there's enormous optimism and trust, and in Western countries... anxiety is still the dominant feeling. - Rishi Sunak"

New Delhi, February 18

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday highlighted the contrasting global perceptions toward artificial intelligence, noting that while countries like India display immense optimism, Western nations continue to grapple with anxiety over the emerging technology.

Speaking at the 'Governing in the age of AI: Sovereignty, Impact and Strategy' event in the national capital, Sunak stressed that addressing this disparity in public confidence remains a critical challenge for leaders worldwide.

"Across the world, we're seeing these different attitudes towards AI. In countries like India, where we are, there's enormous optimism and trust, and in Western countries, we're seeing that anxiety is still the dominant feeling towards AI," Sunak said.

The former UK Prime Minister further pointed out that bridging this confidence divide would require more than technological progress alone, calling for deliberate policy interventions to foster greater public trust.

"I think closing that confidence gap is as much a policy task as it is a technical one," he added.

Sunak's observations came in a fireside chat with former UK PM Rishi Sunak, Meta's Alexandr Wang held on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit 2026. The summit which is scheduled to go on till February 20 has brought together government policymakers, industry AI experts, academicians, technology innovators, and civil society representatives from across the world to advance global discussions on artificial intelligence.

As the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South, the event aims to reflect on the transformative potential of AI, aligning with India's national vision of "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya" (welfare for all, happiness for all) and the global principle of AI for Humanity.

The summit features participation from more than 110 countries and 30 international organizations, including around 20 heads of state or government and about 45 ministers.

It forms part of an evolving international process focused on strengthening global cooperation on the governance, safety, and societal impact of AI.

Guided by the three foundational Sutras--People, Planet, and Progress--the India AI Impact Summit 2026 promotes human-centric AI that safeguards rights and ensures equitable benefits across societies, environmentally sustainable advancement of AI, and inclusive economic and technological progress.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting perspective. As someone from the UK, I can confirm the anxiety is real. But maybe India's approach of focusing on "AI for Humanity" and welfare for all is something we should learn from, rather than just fearing the disruption.
P
Priya S
Proud that India is hosting this global summit! The principles of People, Planet, Progress are exactly what we need. Our techies are already building amazing AI solutions for Indian languages, agriculture, and finance. The trust comes from seeing it work for us.
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Rohit P
With respect, I think we should be a *little* more anxious. Optimism is good, but are we building enough safeguards? What about data privacy and the digital divide? Policy needs to move faster than the tech.
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Vikram M
Sunak understands the Indian mindset well. We are a young, aspirational nation. For us, technology has always been an enabler. From the IT boom to now AI, we adapt and thrive. The summit being in the Global South is a big step. 👏
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Karthik V
The key is in our ancient philosophy - "Sarvajana Hitaya". If AI development is guided by the welfare of all, not just corporate profit, trust follows naturally. Hope the summit delivers concrete action plans.

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