– by Ambassador Dr. Devyani Khobragade–
Human dignity, sustainable development, inclusion, safety, transparency, and shared prosperity are the values at the heart of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, to be held in New Delhi from the 18th to 20th of February, being the first AI Summit to be held in the Global South. Guided by the principles of People, Planet, and Progress, the Summit underscores a simple message: Artificial intelligence must be evaluated not only by its technical power, but by its measurable impact on societies.
Building on earlier AI governance summits hosted in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, and France, this AI Summit marks a historic shift in both geography and vision. For the first time, a major global AI governance forum is being held in a developing country of the Global South; a milestone that signals a decisive move away from a Western- and developed-country–centric dialogue toward one that reflects the priorities, realities, and aspirations of emerging economies.
More than a change of venue, this Summit represents a change of perspective. It moves beyond abstract debates on AI safety to place development outcomes at the forefront, recognizing that for developing nations, artificial intelligence is not only a technological question but a socio-economic imperative.
Structured around seven pillars, human capital development, social inclusion, safe and trusted AI, scientific research, resilience and innovation, democratization of AI resources, and AI for economic and social good , the Summit advances a balanced governance model. It seeks to ensure that innovation progresses alongside accountability, fairness, and long-term responsibility, while directly addressing the development gaps that disproportionately affect the Global South.
India’s national framework reflects this approach. Under the vision of “AI for All,” India promotes risk-based regulation rather than blanket restrictions, encouraging innovation while safeguarding rights. Through the IndiaAI Mission, the country is expanding compute infrastructure, supporting sovereign foundational models, strengthening institutional capacity, and leveraging public digital infrastructure to scale responsible AI adoption. With a dynamic startup ecosystem and growing private sector investment in advanced computing, India is positioning itself as a global AI hub, while maintaining a strong emphasis on explainability, bias mitigation, and human oversight.
AI is reshaping healthcare, education, agriculture, climate resilience, and public services worldwide. Yet its benefits remain uneven. Developing countries face a dual reality: AI can both drive sustainable development and amplify inequalities if not guided by inclusive policies. While investments in AI infrastructure and skills training remain concentrated in wealthier nations, responsible AI governance and innovative financing can give developing countries a chance to advance faster.
Tunisia’s digital transformation trajectory aligns closely with the above mentioned vision. Of India. Under the Digital Tunisia 2030 strategy, Tunisia has adopted a dual approach: accelerating AI innovation while modernizing its legal framework to meet international standards. The country aims to become a regional AI research hub by leveraging its strong engineering talent and advancing technological sovereignty — developing locally owned models and infrastructure that preserve cultural and linguistic specificity.
Tunisia’s National AI Strategy (2026–2030) integrates AI into priority sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, financial services, and public administration. Its governance model combines comprehensive data protection legislation with sector-specific guidance and risk-based oversight.
The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 is more than a policy gathering — it is a call for global collaboration that elevates these emerging economies, champions human values, and embeds sustainability into AI development. Both India’s expansive digital strategy and Tunisia’s balanced innovation-rights framework exemplify how countries can shape AI to generate real benefits for people and planet. By prioritizing inclusion, ethical governance, and shared prosperity, the Summit aims to forge a global AI agenda where emerging and advanced economies alike can contribute to and benefit from technological progress.
By anchoring artificial intelligence in human dignity, social equity, and environmental sustainability, India looks forward to broad international participation, including from Tunisia in this summit dialogue. Diverse perspectives will strengthen both policy outcomes and innovative pathways.
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