The AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded in New Delhi on December 20, with 88 countries and international organizations signing the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. The declaration is not binding, but it is a comprehensive agreement that lays out a shared roadmap for making AI work for everyone, not just a few tech superpowers.The two-day summit, held on February 18th and 19th, was built around seven pillars (or “chakras” as the government calls them) covering everything from democratizing AI resources and reskilling workers to energy-efficient AI systems and using AI to accelerate scientific research. India, which hosted the event, strongly promoted its “AI for All” vision, which is rooted in the Sanskrit principle of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” (welfare for all, happiness for all).
What the New Delhi AI Impact Declaration promises
Specific deliverables include the Democratic Adoption of AI Charter, which aims to make basic AI resources more affordable, the Global AI Impact Commons Platform for countries to share and replicate successful AI use cases, and the Trusted AI Commons, a shared repository of tools, benchmarks, and best practices for building inherently secure AI systems. There is also an AI International Network for Scientific Institutions to share research capabilities across borders and an AI Workforce Development Handbook to help countries prepare their populations for an AI-driven economy.The list of signatories resembles a roll call of the United Nations General Assembly, and includes everyone from the United States, China and the European Union to small countries such as Bhutan, Fiji and Suriname. Russia, Iran, and Cuba also signed, making this one of the most geopolitically diverse AI agreements ever.
India positions itself as a bridge between the AI haves and have-nots
A recurring theme was the gap between countries that build AI and those that simply consume it. The manifesto calls for affordable connectivity, open source AI ecosystems, and locally relevant innovation. The message is clear. Developing countries not only need to consume AI, they also need to build it. The summit also focused attention on energy efficiency, recognizing the growing demand for power and resources driven by AI.The New Delhi Declaration, signed by 88 countries including the United States, China, Russia, and the European Union, is one of the most geopolitically diverse AI agreements to date. And it is a clear signal that India wants to lead the global AI governance conversation, not just have a seat at the table.
