In a significant push for inclusive AI governance, India and France have spotlighted the upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi as a game-changer for the Global South. Speaking at a CSIS discussion in Washington, Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra and French Ambassador Laurent Bily emphasized the event’s focus on real-world outcomes, development, and broad accessibility.
Kwatra described the February 2026 summit as a historic first for hosting such a major global AI conference in a developing nation. ‘This is crucial to demonstrate that AI benefits societies worldwide, not just advanced economies,’ he stated. The agenda centers on three pillars: people, planet, and prosperity, aiming to make AI practical, scalable, and available to everyday users.
Bily highlighted the continuity from the 2025 Paris AI Action Summit, where France and India shifted conversations from regulations to actionable investments and implementations. ‘Now, we’re focusing on sustainable, people-centric AI applications,’ he noted, pointing to dedicated sessions on ethical deployment.
The summit promises a comprehensive lineup, including a massive AI Expo with hundreds of exhibitors, research forums, CEO roundtables, and a joint leaders’ declaration. Kwatra stressed the ‘impact’ theme, moving beyond theory to tangible results. Both ambassadors underscored the need for harmonized yet sovereign AI policies globally.
Recent investments underscore the momentum: France and Europe are pouring funds into computing infrastructure, while India attracts global tech giants for AI frameworks, energy, and compute power. With India’s vast population and booming digital adoption, Kwatra positioned the country as a prime testing ground for large-scale AI.
This event builds on prior summits in the UK, South Korea, and France, positioning New Delhi as the next pivotal hub for equitable AI advancement.