A stage. A statement. A showcase of ambition. The India AI Impact Summit was more than just a tech gathering.
Leaders spoke of promise, power and possibility. And of responsibility, fairness and control.
Education reform, partnerships with nations of the Global South, and accountable governance emerged as key priorities.
Mitesh Khapra, founder of AI4Bharat and Associate Professor at IIT Madras, emphasised that AI must be safe, responsible and inclusive, particularly in healthcare, education, and child-focused applications. He added that AI should work the same way for everyone, irrespective of language or demographic background.
Khapra also highlighted concerns about data sovereignty. He said that without control over AI in critical sectors like governance, health, and education, managing outcomes could become challenging. These concerns about equity and control set the stage for broader discussions on global AI implications.
Thiago Rached, co-founder of Brazilian ed-tech company Letrus, built on this perspective. He raised questions about whether AI reduces inequality or deepens it. He noted concerns about employability, uneven access, and the concentration of technology in a few hands. Governments, he said, need to find ways to protect data and intelligence.
The conversation then turned to infrastructure, which underpins equitable AI deployment. Ashish Khanna, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, highlighted the digital capabilities required for decentralised renewable energy. Globally, of the 1,000 gigawatts invested in solar over the past two years, 40% was decentralised. In India, that figure is 15%.
Khanna said Indian distribution companies require digital tools to monitor the grid, manage energy flows efficiently, and avoid financial issues. He described this digital foundation as a necessary element for the expansion of decentralised renewable energy — showing how infrastructure, governance, and technology intersect.
Scaling these initiatives was the next focus. Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys and chairman of Axilor Ventures, said India has the potential to rank among the top three countries globally in various AI domains. He emphasised that the impact of AI will be determined by the applications deployed in the country, linking policy, infrastructure, and talent to tangible outcomes.
The summit also highlighted student engagement. It set a Guinness World Record for the highest number of student pledges for responsible AI use within 24 hours. Adjudicator Pravin Patel confirmed that 2,50,946 pledges were received against a target of 5,000. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for this outreach to schools and colleges.
Corporate and international commitments followed. Microsoft said it is on track to invest $50 billion by the end of the decade to expand AI across the Global South, developing and emerging economies. The company had already announced $17.5 billion in AI investments in India last year, reflecting continued support for AI adoption in the region.
Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo attended the summit and was received by Minister of State for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Singh. The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit would strengthen cooperation in digital technology, AI, sustainability, and education, highlighting the summit’s global dimension.
Alongside these initiatives, a controversy arose at the summit’s expo. Galgotias University was asked to vacate its stall after questions were raised about a robotic dog displayed as its own innovation. Critics alleged the device, labeled “Orion,” was a Chinese-made Unitree Go2. Sources confirmed the university was asked to leave the expo, and it subsequently issued a statement responding to the allegations.
Despite this, organisers ensured public access. IT secretary S Krishnan said the AI Impact Summit Expo would remain open on Saturday so students and visitors could attend without disruption from VVIP movements or parallel events.
In the end, the summit showcased India’s AI initiatives, global partnerships, and student engagement. Records were set. Investments were announced. Discussions on governance, equity, and infrastructure took place. The expo controversy underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in showcasing technology.
Also Read: AI Summit Plagued By Chaos And Confusion https://www.vibesofindia.com/ai-summit-plagued-by-chaos-and-confusion/
