N※N

Delhi AI Summit Hailed as Pivotal Moment for Global Governance

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. led-as-pivotal-moment-for-global-governance.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, February 16th 2026 at 0:17 GMT by moneycontrol.com
      Locales: INDIA, UNITED KINGDOM

New Delhi, India - February 16, 2026 - The recently concluded Delhi summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been hailed as a pivotal moment in the global effort to harness the transformative power of AI while mitigating its potential risks. UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, speaking after the event, emphasized the summit's significance in unlocking the "full benefits of AI" through responsible development and inclusive access.

The summit, centered around the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) - a multi-stakeholder initiative established in 2020 - brought together representatives from governments, industry, and civil society to discuss the future of AI. GPAI aims to bridge the gap between AI innovation and responsible implementation, focusing on areas like data governance, ethical considerations, and equitable distribution of benefits. This year's event built upon previous discussions, solidifying a growing international consensus on the need for proactive and collaborative AI governance.

Raab highlighted the core principle driving GPAI: ensuring AI serves humanity as a whole. "GPAI is really about harnessing the benefits of AI, recognising the opportunities and the huge potential, but also doing so responsibly, thinking through the implications, and not leaving anyone behind," he stated. The emphasis on inclusivity is particularly crucial, as concerns mount that unchecked AI development could widen existing societal inequalities.

UK-India Collaboration Takes Center Stage

The Delhi summit also underscored the strengthening AI partnership between the United Kingdom and India. Raab specifically pointed to areas where this collaboration could yield significant impact, namely healthcare and climate change. Both nations recognize AI's potential to revolutionize diagnostics, treatment plans, and drug discovery in healthcare. Similarly, AI-driven solutions are seen as vital in tackling climate change, from optimizing energy consumption and developing sustainable technologies to predicting and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.

Experts suggest the UK's focus on collaborative projects with India stems from India's rapidly growing digital infrastructure and its increasingly sophisticated AI talent pool. The two nations have already begun exploring joint ventures in areas like AI-powered agricultural solutions and smart city initiatives. This partnership offers a model for how developed and developing nations can work together to advance AI innovation while ensuring benefits are broadly shared.

Data Governance and International Cooperation: Key Summit Themes

A central theme throughout the summit was the critical need for robust data governance frameworks. As AI systems become increasingly reliant on vast datasets, ensuring data privacy, security, and ethical sourcing is paramount. Discussions revolved around establishing international standards for data handling and promoting interoperability between different regulatory regimes. The absence of a unified global approach to data governance could hinder AI innovation and create barriers to cross-border collaboration.

Raab stressed the importance of international cooperation in navigating the complex challenges and opportunities presented by AI. He argued that no single nation can effectively address these issues in isolation. This sentiment reflects a growing recognition that AI is a global phenomenon requiring a collective response. The summit participants explored mechanisms for sharing best practices, coordinating research efforts, and establishing common ethical guidelines.

Addressing the Risk of AI-Exacerbated Inequality

Beyond technical and regulatory considerations, the Delhi summit also addressed the potential for AI to exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities. Raab explicitly raised concerns that, without careful planning, AI could disproportionately benefit certain groups while marginalizing others. This could manifest in various ways, including job displacement due to automation, biased algorithms perpetuating discrimination, and unequal access to AI-powered services.

To counter these risks, summit participants emphasized the need for proactive measures to ensure AI development benefits all of humanity. This includes investing in education and training programs to equip workers with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven economy, promoting diversity and inclusion in AI development teams, and designing AI systems that are fair, transparent, and accountable. Several proposals were floated regarding establishing international funds to support AI literacy and access in developing nations. Furthermore, discussions touched on the necessity of strengthening social safety nets to protect those displaced by automation.

The Delhi summit marks a significant step towards a future where AI is developed and deployed responsibly, ethically, and inclusively. While many challenges remain, the growing international commitment to collaboration and responsible innovation provides a foundation for realizing AI's transformative potential for the benefit of all.