New Delhi: The AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded in New Delhi on Saturday with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, marking a significant milestone in global cooperation on artificial intelligence.
Eighty-eight countries and international organisations endorsed the Declaration, reflecting a broad-based global consensus on leveraging AI for economic growth and social good.
The Declaration draws guidance from the principle of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” (Welfare for all, Happiness for all) and asserts that stakeholders must share the benefits of AI equitably across humanity.
The document calls for stronger international cooperation and deeper multistakeholder engagement. It stresses respect for national sovereignty and promotes the advancement of AI through accessible and trustworthy frameworks, the External Affairs Ministry said in a media release.
The Declaration structures global AI cooperation around seven pillars of action. These pillars include democratizing AI resources, advancing economic growth and social good, building secure and trusted AI, promoting AI for science, expanding access for social empowerment, strengthening human capital development, and developing resilient, efficient, and innovative AI systems.
The Summit also announced a series of voluntary and collaborative global initiatives. The Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI promotes affordable access to foundational AI resources and supports locally relevant innovation ecosystems.
The Global AI Impact Commons will function as a platform to scale and replicate AI use cases globally and enable cross-country collaboration for development impact. The Trusted AI Commons will serve as a repository of tools, benchmarks, and best practices to support the development of secure and trustworthy AI systems.
Leaders also introduced the International Network of AI for Science Institutions to facilitate global scientific collaboration and enhance AI-driven research capabilities. The AI for Social Empowerment Platform will enable knowledge exchange and scalable solutions with a focus on equitable AI adoption.
The AI Workforce Development Playbook and Reskilling Principles will support AI skilling, reskilling, and literacy initiatives and prepare nations for an AI-driven economy. The Guiding Principles on Resilient and Efficient AI will focus on energy-efficient AI systems and will receive support from a Playbook on AI Infrastructure Resilience.
The Declaration highlights AI’s role in driving economic transformation. It underscores the importance of open-source and accessible AI ecosystems, emphasises the need for energy-efficient AI infrastructure, and calls for expanding AI’s role in science, governance, and public service delivery.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing shared global priorities in AI governance. They agreed to promote voluntary, non-binding frameworks and to translate the collective vision into action through continued collaboration.
Organisers expect the Summit to catalyse long-term international partnerships and position artificial intelligence as a key driver of global economic growth.
