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India's AI Summit Sets Global Standard, Shifts Focus to Public Policy Impact

Vivek Agarwal of the Tony Blair Institute commended India for setting a new standard by framing artificial intelligence as a public policy issue at the AI Impact Summit 2026. He emphasized the summit's role in moving beyond technology to identify tangible government actions for managing AI's impacts. UN Resident Coordinator Stefan Priesner congratulated India for its global leadership in hosting the first such summit in the Global South. The summit, held at Bharat Mandapam, aims to advance AI innovation aligned with human development and sustainability goals.

Key Points: India AI Summit 2026: Shifting AI from Tech to Public Policy

  • India hosts first AI summit in Global South
  • Shifts AI discourse from tech to public policy
  • Aims for tangible human development impact
  • Aligns AI with UN Sustainable Development Goals
2 min read

"Nice framing on AI, moving from tech subject to public policy issue": Tony Blair Institute Country Director Vivek Agarwal on AI Summit

Tony Blair Institute's Vivek Agarwal praises India for framing AI as a public policy issue at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

"India... has set a standard in terms of how we need to think about this AI summit as an opportunity to build something that can lead to tangible impact and tangible action. - Vivek Agarwal"

New Delhi, February 19

Country Director India at the Tony Blair Institute, Vivek Agarwal, hailed the AI Impact Summit 2026, saying that the Centre has moved the conversation around artificial intelligence from being a technology subject to a public policy issue.

Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Agarwal said India has set the standard in hosting an AI summit by looking at it as an opportunity to bring tangible impact.

"India, the way it has sort of gone about convening this summit, it has truly set a standard in terms of how we need to think about this AI summit as an opportunity to build something that can lead to tangible impact and tangible action. I think it has taken a very nice framing on AI, moving it from a technology subject to a public policy issue and trying to identify what it is that governments can actually do in terms of accelerating and managing AI and its impacts," he said.

Earlier, United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) in India, Stefan Priesner, congratulated New Delhi for hosting the summit. Expressing his expectations for the summit, he said that AI should be advanced not only in terms of innovation but also for human development aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Stefan Priesner said, "I congratulate India on hosting this summit at this time. I think it's extremely timely. It's the first AI summit in the Global South, and in this way, India shows global leadership not only in innovation but also in the voice of the South. My expectations for the summit are to significantly advance not only innovation but also innovation for the good of human development, from the United Nations perspective, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and sustainability. I think it's extremely important to link AI to solutions that make sense for people and the planet. And I expect the summit to move the needle towards that."

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It started on February 16 and will run up to February 20. The summit brought together government policymakers, industry AI experts, academicians, technology innovators, and civil society from across the world in New Delhi to advance global discussions on artificial intelligence.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Hosting the first AI summit in the Global South is a massive statement. It shows we're not just consumers of Western tech but are ready to lead the conversation, especially on how AI can solve our unique challenges in agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure.
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Anjali F
I appreciate the focus on tangible impact and SDGs. But I hope this isn't just another talk shop. We need clear policy frameworks and funding for Indian startups working on AI for social good, not just for big corporates. The proof will be in the implementation.
D
David E
As someone working in tech policy, this shift is crucial. India's scale makes it the perfect testbed for responsible AI governance. If the policies crafted here are inclusive, they could become a model for other developing nations. A very timely summit indeed.
K
Karthik V
Bharat Mandapam is becoming the go-to venue for global thought leadership! From G20 to now this. Moving AI to a public policy discussion is smart. Now, how do we ensure this trickles down to the state and municipal level? That's where real change happens for the aam aadmi.
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Stephanie T
Linking AI to the Sustainable Development Goals is the only way forward. Innovation for innovation's sake has created enough problems. Hoping the outcomes here focus on climate action, poverty reduction, and equality. The world is watching.

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