India to Host First Global South AI Summit as UN Praises Rise
India to Host First Global South AI Summit as UN Praises Rise
UN chief hails India as the right host for the AI Impact Summit, stressing AI must benefit all, not just the rich nations.
India will host the AI Impact Summit 2026 from February 16 to 20, marking the first such gathering in the Global South. The event centers on ‘People, Planet and Progress’ and features the YUVAi— a youth-focused AI challenge—whose top 20 finalists were announced.
At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described India as a 'very successful' emerging economy with growing influence and said it is the 'right place' to bring AI into the global conversation so that benefits extend beyond developed nations.
MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan echoed the sentiment, stressing that India’s expanding role makes it essential to discuss AI’s enormous potential and risks here, rather than confining AI to a few powers. The summit aims to deliver at least 15 tangible outcomes, according to ministry officials.
Citing corporate participation, it was confirmed that Nvidia’s Jensen Huang would not attend the summit, though the event will still draw attention from policymakers, researchers and youth innovators.
Overall, organizers hope the India–AI Impact Summit will set a template for inclusive AI governance and demonstrate that AI can benefit people around the world, not just a privileged few.
