India is set to advocate for global consensus on common minimum standards for artificial intelligence (AI) at the IndiaAI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19–20. This move highlights India's ambition to play a significant role in shaping international norms for responsible and inclusive AI deployment.
The IndiaAI Impact Summit aims to shift the global AI conversation from policy intent to measurable, on-ground impact. The summit is designed as a people-centric platform, moving beyond technical discussions to focus on the practical adoption of AI across various sectors like education, healthcare, agriculture, governance, startups, services, and employment.
India's approach to common AI standards is based on three guiding principles: People, Planet, and Progress. This framework seeks to balance technological advancement with social responsibility and environmental sustainability. As part of the "Progress" principle, India is advocating for the equitable distribution of AI's benefits and the democratization of access to critical resources like datasets, computing infrastructure, and foundational models. The country is also pushing for the wider application of AI in priority sectors including healthcare, education, governance, and agriculture.
Abhishek Singh, CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, emphasized that the summit aims to ensure AI innovation, skills, and benefits are accessible to all, particularly developing nations and countries of the Global South. The event will focus on translating global AI discussions into implementable solutions tailored for emerging economies. The summit will showcase practical use cases demonstrating how AI can drive inclusion, efficiency, and empowerment, positioning technology as a development enabler.
India is already participating in numerous discussions across 38 multilateral committees, including several organs of the United Nations and other global standard-setting bodies. India has consolidated inputs from all relevant ministries and agencies to define its position.
However, as India prepares to showcase its AI ambitions, some organizations are urging policymakers to pursue a balanced, innovation-friendly approach that aligns with global best practices and supports India's growing AI ecosystem. Concerns have been raised regarding proposals that could potentially restrict AI development and deployment in the country.
The summit will address concerns around automation-led job losses, clarifying that AI is expected to augment human capability rather than replace it. While certain roles may evolve, AI adoption is likely to create new opportunities. Public engagement is considered key to AI adoption, and the summit will emphasize the importance of citizens understanding, trusting, and using AI responsibly.