AI Impact Summit Concludes with Historic New Delhi Declaration
The AI Impact Summit in New Delhi has successfully concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, marking a significant achievement for India and other nations in the Global South. This initiative aims to reframe artificial intelligence as a shared global good, rather than an exclusive technological advantage held by wealthy and developed countries.
Broad International Endorsement and Key Principles
Endorsed by 86 countries and two international organizations, the declaration establishes a shared global vision for what it describes as "collaborative, trusted, resilient, and efficient" artificial intelligence. It emphasizes that AI's potential can only be realized "when its benefits are shared by humanity" and cautions that "the choices that we make today will shape the AI-enabled world that future generations will inherit."
Signatories include major AI powerhouses such as the United States and China, along with other technology leaders like the Netherlands, South Korea, and the European Union. Notably, Pakistan is absent from the list, and Taiwan, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, was excluded due to sensitivities involving China, which has historically blocked its participation in international forums.
Rooted in Equity and Access
Rooted in the principle of "Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya"—meaning welfare and happiness for all—a theme articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his inaugural address, the declaration places equity and access at the core of AI governance. It commits participants to "foster shared understanding, while respecting national sovereignty, on how AI could be made to serve humanity." This emphasis addresses long-standing concerns among many developing countries about technology rules being shaped without their input.
Seven Action Pillars for Global Coordination
The declaration is organized around seven action pillars, or chakras, designed to translate broad principles into coordinated global action:
- Democratising AI resources
- Economic growth and social good
- Secure and trusted AI
- AI for science
- Access for social empowerment
- Human capital development
- Resilient, efficient, and innovative AI systems
Together, these pillars aim to ensure that AI development benefits all nations equitably.
Voluntary Commitments and Practical Platforms
Several voluntary commitments were announced to support these efforts. Key among them is the Global AI Impact Commons, described as "a practical platform to encourage and enable the adoption, replication, and scale-up of successful AI use cases across regions." This initiative allows countries to share proven applications in areas like public services, development, and governance, reducing duplication and accelerating impact.
Focus on Trust, Safety, and Democratisation
Trust and safety form another core strand, with the declaration stressing that "advancing secure, trustworthy, and robust AI is foundational to building trust and maximising societal and economic benefits." To support this, it acknowledges the Trusted AI Commons—a voluntary repository of tools, benchmarks, and best practices aimed at helping governments and developers build reliable AI systems across diverse legal and cultural contexts.
With democratisation of AI as a key driver, the declaration emphasizes that "removing structural barriers to and increasing availability of AI research infrastructure can promote the use of AI in scientific research and development across countries." An international network of AI-for-science institutions is expected to link researchers globally and accelerate AI-driven discoveries.
Human Capital Development as a Critical Element
Human capital development is highlighted as critical to realizing AI's full potential. The declaration underlines that "realising the full promise of AI requires equipping individuals with relevant skills," backing this with voluntary guiding principles for reskilling and a workforce development playbook. This focus ensures that the benefits of AI are accessible to all, fostering inclusive growth and innovation.
