As the AI Impact Summit 2026 prepares to launch in India, a US delegation arrives with a clear message: artificial intelligence is reshaping finance, but vigilance is essential. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has elevated AI to one of four cornerstone priorities for safeguarding the nation’s economic backbone.
Bessent briefed Congress on AI’s dual role—strengthening markets while introducing risks that demand strict oversight. ‘Financial stability now faces AI as a key challenge,’ he said, grouping it with market integrity, cyber threats, and regulatory updates.
The White House confirmed Michael Kratsios, science and technology policy director, will head the delegation. His agenda includes briefing attendees on the Trump-era AI exports initiative, designed to export US tech standards worldwide.
Delegation members include heavyweights like Jacob Helberg from economic affairs, William Kimit on international trade, and Jeffrey Kessler handling industry security. Kratsios teased the trip on X: ‘America leads AI innovation—we’re eager to collaborate with partners in India.’
Over 500 startups from 100 nations will converge, making the summit a breeding ground for breakthroughs. Bessent noted AI’s explosion in banking for everything from risk assessment to operational efficiency. Regulators, he said, are partnering across sectors to build resilience against systemic threats.
‘We’re ignoring distractions to tackle what truly matters for financial steadiness,’ Bessent emphasized. This summit could define how governments worldwide regulate AI’s financial footprint, with the US pushing for responsible innovation amid growing adoption.
