New Delhi hosted the groundbreaking India AI Impact Summit 2026 from February 17 to 20, drawing global leaders under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived to champion responsible AI that prioritizes human values, cultural diversity, and international collaboration.
In a landmark first for the Global South, the summit united heads of state, UN officials, international organization leaders, and tech titans. Discussions revolved around ‘People, Planet, and Progress,’ shaping the future of AI governance.
Addressing the Leaders’ Plenary on February 19, Dissanayake stressed that AI must serve humanity by reinforcing cultural values, protecting rights, and ensuring equitable access. He positioned AI infrastructure as the new frontier for economic and cultural partnerships, urging global dialogue on goals, rights, and safeguards.
Highlighting AI’s often-overlooked cultural dimensions, the President called for emerging systems to preserve linguistic diversity and showcase shared heritage. ‘Technological advancement should not erode cultural identity but empower communities,’ he declared.
Dissanayake proposed strengthening regional cooperation on four pillars: affordable access, centralized language datasets, shared evaluation frameworks, security tools, and integrated capacity building.
Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment by endorsing the summit’s declaration, pledging ethical, transparent, people-centric AI development alongside international partners to foster inclusive innovation.
Beyond speeches, Dissanayake held high-level bilateral talks. With Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, they explored deeper ties in trade, investment, tourism, AI, and emerging sectors.
Meetings with Bhutan’s PM Tshering Tobgay reinforced longstanding friendship, focusing on culture, education, youth affairs, and health cooperation.
Discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron covered technology, digital innovation, tourism, investment, and maritime domains. Dissanayake praised France’s support in debt restructuring and post-Cyclone Ditwah recovery, with France recommitting to rehabilitation efforts.
With Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, they discussed South-South cooperation, and Lula invited Dissanayake to Brazil.
He also met US Ambassador to India and Special Representative Sergio Gor, reviewing US-Sri Lanka relations and future opportunities.
On February 20, at Hyderabad House, Dissanayake and PM Modi reviewed progress from his December 2024 India visit and Modi’s April 2025 Sri Lanka trip. Talks emphasized trade, energy, connectivity, digital collaboration, economic partnership, and cultural bonds. Dissanayake thanked India for humanitarian aid post-Cyclone Ditwah and the summit invite.
Over 100 countries’ leaders, policymakers, and delegates tackled key themes: human capital, inclusive empowerment, safe AI, science, resilience, innovation, resource democratization, and AI for economic growth and social welfare.
The summit sets a bold path for ethical AI, blending technology with human-centric progress.