India's AI Summit 2026: Governance, Power, and Environmental Concerns Take Center Stage

India's AI Summit 2026: Governance, Power, and Environmental Concerns Take Center Stage

As the global race for artificial intelligence (AI) dominance accelerates, India is set to host the pivotal AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 15 to 20. This marks the first time the forum will be held in the Global South, following previous editions in the United Kingdom, South Korea, and France. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the event and French President Emmanuel Macron attending as part of a state visit, the summit is poised to address profound questions about AI governance, power concentration, and environmental sustainability.

Pre-Summit Discussions Surface Critical Governance Questions

Ahead of the summit, a series of closed-door meetings among government officials, policymakers, industry representatives, and civil society groups have ignited debates on how AI should be governed. These discussions, held under Chatham House Rules at the French Embassy in New Delhi, have brought to light concerns about regulatory gaps, the environmental costs of AI, and the need for inclusive multi-stakeholder governance.

One key theme emerging from these talks is the shortfall of voluntary AI safety commitments. Experts noted that agreements from the 2023 Bletchley Park Summit, which allowed AI Safety Institutes to test models pre-release, were not legally binding and have since proven inadequate. "AI companies prioritize reputational harm over societal risks, creating an inherent conflict of interest," a speaker highlighted, emphasizing the need for independent oversight.

Beyond Technical Risks: Broader Policy and Geopolitical Shifts

The dialogue has evolved from focusing solely on catastrophic AI risks to encompassing broader policy conversations shaped by economic strategy and geopolitical competition. Participants argued that earlier summits distracted from immediate, real-world harms and were overly influenced by industry interests. "The narrative has shifted from ethics to a race for dominance, with big tech players consolidating power," one expert remarked.

Another critical issue is the false dichotomy between AI regulation and innovation. Speakers challenged the notion that regulation stifles progress, pointing out that deregulation efforts, such as those discussed at the Paris Summit, risk entrenching the dominance of a few tech giants. "We must redefine innovation to ensure it benefits society, not just market leaders," a participant urged, highlighting concerns about AI's impact on fundamental rights.

India's Role and Global Disparities in AI Governance

In the Indian context, discussions have centered on building the country as a "use case capital" for AI without adequately addressing its implications. For instance, AI healthcare applications could strain already overburdened health systems, while data centers in drought-prone areas raise environmental red flags. "Balancing innovation and regulation is tricky in a global race where no one wants to fall behind," a speaker noted.

Globally, disparities in industrial policy and AI governance are creating uneven access to technology, finance, and talent. While some countries lean toward deregulation, others enforce stricter oversight. "The Global South, representing 85–88% of the world's population, often faces extractive models from the North," an expert observed, citing China's challenge to U.S. dominance as an outlier. The lack of transparency in policy implementation risks picking winners in advance, undermining equitable benefits.

Recommendations for Equitable AI Governance

To address these challenges, participants proposed several actionable recommendations:

• Prevent Market Concentration: Regulate big tech at the infrastructure level to avoid anti-competitive practices, such as preventing cloud providers from dominating foundational AI models.
• Adopt a Human Rights Approach: Integrate human rights into AI ethics frameworks, moving beyond vague principles to ensure accountability and protection.
• Lower Barriers to Participation: Ensure smaller, public-interest communities have a voice in AI governance, rather than relying solely on tech industry expertise.

Conversely, experts warned against repeating past mistakes:

1. Avoid Social Media-Era Regulatory Failures: Don't delay action on generative AI until bans become the only option, as seen with platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
2. Protect Existing Data Frameworks: Resist efforts to weaken data protection and privacy regulations in the name of AI advancement.
3. Include Public Interest Communities: Engage social movements and civil society in AI policy discussions to ensure diverse perspectives are heard.

As the AI Impact Summit 2026 approaches, these early discussions underscore the urgent need for transparent, inclusive, and equitable governance frameworks. With India at the helm, the world will be watching to see if this summit can bridge divides and set a precedent for responsible AI development that prioritizes people and the planet over profit and power.