Global South Takes Center Stage
Technology executives from Silicon Valley are arriving in New Delhi this week for the AI Impact Summit, hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a gathering that underscores how competition over artificial intelligence is expanding beyond Washington and Beijing.
Leaders from across the global south, including Kenya, Indonesia, Senegal and Egypt, will join corporate chiefs and policymakers to debate how AI should shape economies where average monthly incomes are often below $1,000. The summit brings together thousands of participants, blending trillion-dollar tech firms with governments seeking practical development tools.
Among the high-profile attendees are Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic. Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Chancellor George Osborne are also expected, each advocating for broader AI adoption. Sunak now advises Microsoft and Anthropic, while Osborne leads OpenAI’s international expansion of ChatGPT, which already counts roughly 800 million users worldwide.
India’s Ambition and Civil Liberties Concerns
Modi, who will address the summit later in the week, is positioning India as an AI hub for South Asia and Africa. Discussions will focus on how machine learning tools could improve agriculture, water management and public health systems across emerging economies. The summit’s theme emphasizes inclusive growth and technological access.
However, domestic critics have raised concerns about the use of AI technologies in surveillance, electoral influence and potential discrimination against minority communities. Civil liberties advocates argue that rapid deployment without safeguards could deepen existing social divides.
The Delhi meeting is the first of its kind held in the global south, following earlier editions in the United Kingdom, South Korea and France. Observers describe a growing tension between what some call “AI colonialism,” driven by large US tech firms seeking market dominance, and alternative visions focused on social equity and local empowerment.
Safety, Geopolitics and Regulation
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to speak, warning against a future where advanced AI remains concentrated among a handful of wealthy nations or superpowers. Safety remains on the agenda, with AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio reiterating concerns about risks linked to cyberattacks and biological threats enabled by powerful models.
The summit unfolds amid AI-assisted military applications in conflicts such as Ukraine and the Middle East. Nicolas Miailhe, co-founder of AI Safety Connect, has emphasized that governance has not kept pace with technological progress, highlighting implications for democracy and global stability.
The U.S. administration is not sending a senior delegation, reflecting its more hands-off regulatory stance. Meanwhile, companies are promoting applied AI programs, particularly in education. Google DeepMind has highlighted strong adoption rates in India and ongoing initiatives providing AI tools to millions of students.
Infrastructure and Investment Push
Corporate investment is also central to the summit’s narrative. Google is partnering with Indian conglomerate Adani Group on a multibillion-dollar AI data center project in Visakhapatnam, including subsea cable links to enhance global connectivity.
As geopolitical rivalry intensifies and capital flows accelerate, the Delhi gathering highlights a central question: whether AI’s next phase will deepen global divides or expand economic opportunity across emerging markets.
