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Global Leaders at India AI Summit Demand Ethical Guardrails for AI Innovation

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi has convened global leaders to discuss the dual narrative of AI's promise and its risks. UN officials highlighted existing AI use in humanitarian logistics and the critical need for human rights-based guardrails. The event, attracting participation from over 110 countries and numerous world leaders, serves as a key platform for sharing practices and fostering collaboration. This fourth edition underscores a global commitment to steering AI innovation responsibly and inclusively.

Key Points: India AI Summit 2026: World Leaders Call for Responsible AI

  • Global call for ethical AI governance
  • AI's transformative potential for agencies like WFP
  • Summit as major platform for international cooperation
  • Over 110 countries and 30 orgs participating
  • Focus on inclusive, AI-driven development
2 min read

India AI summit: World leaders call for responsible innovation and guardrails

Global leaders at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 stress AI's potential and the urgent need for ethical governance and human rights safeguards.

"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. - Volker Turk"

New Delhi, Feb 18

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 here has brought together global leaders, policymakers, and technology experts, who are highlighting both the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and the urgent need for responsible governance.

Speaking to IANS, World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Carl Skau said the agency already has a strong advantage in deploying AI due to its vast 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."

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stressed that while AI holds enormous promise, it must be guided by ethical safeguards, warning that unchecked technological power could pose 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's Economy and Innovation Minister Edvinas Griksas described the summit as a major global platform for 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.

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

The five-day summit has drawn participation from over 110 countries and 30 international organisations, including about 20 heads of state or Government and nearly 45 ministers.

This edition marks the fourth in the series, following previous summits in the United Kingdom (2023), South Korea (2024), and France (2025). Organisers said more dignitaries are expected to arrive, reinforcing the event's emphasis on international collaboration and inclusive AI-driven development.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
The human rights angle is so important. It's easy to get swept up in the potential, but Volker Turk is right—power without guardrails is dangerous. Hope these discussions lead to concrete, enforceable global standards.
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Priya S
"Delhi is the heart of AI today" – what a statement! 🎯 This summit puts us on the map. But let's ensure this translates into real opportunities for Indian startups and researchers, not just a diplomatic event. The focus must be on building our own capacity.
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Rohit P
Good to see the world coming to India for this. However, I respectfully disagree with the WFP rep saying they are "really ahead." Many Indian tech firms and our own Digital India initiatives have been deploying AI at scale for years in governance, finance, and agriculture. Our homegrown expertise is massive.
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Michael C
The scale of participation is impressive. Over 110 countries! This kind of collaboration is exactly what's needed to tackle challenges that don't respect borders, like climate change or food security, where AI can be a game-changer.
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Kavya N
All this talk of global governance is fine, but what about the digital divide? Will these "guardrails" be designed by the global north and imposed on us? India's voice must ensure the rules are fair and don't stifle our growing tech ecosystem. Jai Hind!

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