New Delhi declaration on AI Impact signatories reach 91 as three more nations join
New Delhi, February 24
The global consensus on artificial intelligence governance expanded as three additional nations joined the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, bringing the total number of signatories to 91 countries and international organisations.
Bangladesh, Costa Rica, and Guatemala officially endorsed the framework following the conclusion of the AI Impact Summit 2026. This follows the initial adoption of the declaration by 88 entities on February 21, 2026. According to the Ministry of Electronics & IT, the declaration serves as a significant milestone in international cooperation for AI development and security.
The framework is built upon seven distinct pillars of action, referred to as "Chakras," which aim to structure the future of global AI collaboration. These foundational areas include democratizing AI resources, fostering economic growth and social good, and ensuring the development of secure and trusted AI.
The declaration also prioritises AI for science, access for social empowerment, human capital development, and the creation of resilient, efficient, and innovative AI systems.
The Ministry of Electronics & IT noted that the summit "concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, marking a significant milestone in global cooperation on artificial intelligence."
Several global deliverables were established during the summit to translate the declaration's vision into practical initiatives. Among these is the Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI, which "promotes affordable access to foundational AI resources" and "supports locally relevant innovation ecosystems."
To facilitate the scaling of AI use cases globally, the summit introduced the Global AI Impact Commons. Additionally, the Trusted AI Commons was established as a repository of tools and benchmarks to "support development of secure and trustworthy AI systems."
Other initiatives include an international network for scientific institutions and an AI workforce development playbook designed to support skilling and literacy.
The declaration emphasises the necessity of energy-efficient infrastructure and open-source ecosystems to drive economic transformation. It highlights the "role of AI in driving economic transformation" and the "need for energy-efficient AI infrastructure."
"We acknowledge that the AI Impact Summit will contribute to strengthening international cooperation and multistakeholder approach to advance shared priorities as well as voluntary and non-binding guidelines and principles, which can promote AI for ensuring a prosperous future for humanity. We remain committed to advancing our shared aspirations for realizing the benefits of AI and look forward to continued cooperation for translating these aspirations into concrete actions for the three Sutras of the India AI Impact Summit 2026," the Ministry stated.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone working in tech policy, the focus on "democratizing AI resources" is crucial. The Global AI Impact Commons could be a game-changer for startups in developing nations if implemented well. The real test will be in the execution of these "concrete actions."
Wonderful to see more countries joining! But I have a respectful criticism: these summits often produce grand declarations, but what about the digital divide in our own villages? I hope the "access for social empowerment" pillar includes plans for rural India's internet and power issues.
The emphasis on energy-efficient AI infrastructure is spot on! We cannot afford to have AI solutions that drain our power grids. Also, the AI workforce playbook is needed urgently - our engineering colleges need to update their syllabi to match these global standards.
91 countries is impressive! Shows the world is taking India's lead seriously. Hope this translates into more investment and jobs in our AI sector. The Trusted AI Commons sounds like a good step to prevent misuse.
Interesting to see the "Sutras" and "Chakras" terminology being used in a global tech declaration. It's a unique cultural touch. The key will be ensuring the "voluntary and non-binding" principles don't become just nice words on paper.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.