88 Countries and Organisations Endorse New Delhi Declaration for Equitable AI Benefits

In a landmark move, 88 countries and international organisations have endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. This agreement, concluded at the AI Impact Summit 2026, aims to ensure that artificial intelligence benefits are shared equitably across the globe. The declaration outlines a vision for collaborative and efficient AI systems, with India advocating for AI for All, focusing on equity and global cooperation.

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The summit saw participation from 118 countries, including major nations like the US, China, and the UK. The event underscored India's role as a key player in shaping global AI governance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of human-centric AI was widely accepted, emphasising democratising AI resources to make technology accessible to everyone.

Global Consensus on AI Governance

The declaration is structured around seven pillars, known as Chakras. These include democratising AI resources, promoting economic growth and social good, and ensuring secure and trusted AI systems. Other focus areas are AI for science, social empowerment, human capital development, and resilient AI systems.

Among the key outcomes is the Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI. This voluntary framework aims to expand affordable access to foundational AI resources and strengthen local innovation ecosystems. The Global AI Impact Commons is set to scale successful AI use cases across countries.

Investment and Infrastructure Development

The summit secured investment commitments exceeding USD 250 billion in infrastructure. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described it as a grand success. He noted that participation exceeded five lakh visitors, highlighting strong engagement with India's AI initiatives.

Vaishnaw stated that the summit reflected global confidence in India's role in the new AI era. Investment pledges included USD 250 billion for infrastructure-related capital and about USD 20 billion for venture capital and deep tech investments.

AI for Social Empowerment

The declaration also emphasises energy-efficient AI systems and resilient infrastructure. It recognises the increasing demands that AI places on power and natural resources. Voluntary guiding principles on resilient, innovative, and efficient AI were acknowledged as reference frameworks.

An International Network of AI for Science Institutions will connect scientific communities globally to enhance AI-driven research capabilities. The AI for Social Empowerment platform aims to widen equitable access to knowledge and services.

AI Governance and Global Cooperation

The summit positioned India as a key convenor in shaping the global AI agenda. It highlighted responsible and inclusive AI governance with broad-based endorsement from advanced economies, developing nations, and multilateral bodies.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing shared global priorities in AI governance. They promoted voluntary frameworks and translating vision into action through continued collaboration.

Key Discussions at the Summit

The India AI Summit featured prominent CEOs like Google's Sundar Pichai and OpenAI's Sam Altman. Discussions covered global tech topics such as AGI governance and future job prospects. The collective presence of these influential voices elevated the summit's significance in global tech deliberations.

This was the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. India has consistently championed developing economies' voices in digital policy forums, advocating for equitable access to AI resources.

Earlier global gatherings focused on frontier risks and safety guardrails. However, India broadened the perspective to highlight AI's developmental impact on economic growth, social inclusion, and sustainability.

The declaration calls for strengthened international cooperation and multi-stakeholder engagement while respecting national sovereignty. It advances accessible and trustworthy AI frameworks guided by Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya—welfare for all, happiness for all.

With inputs from PTI