Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivered a compelling address at New Delhi’s India AI Impact Summit 2026, underscoring India’s robust faith in AI against the backdrop of Western apprehensions. ‘India exhibits immense optimism and confidence in AI, while the West remains gripped by concerns,’ he observed.
Engaging in a candid conversation with Alexander Wang, Meta’s head of AI, Sunak called for deliberate policy measures to narrow this divide. He spotlighted India’s soaring digital ambitions, backed by massive recent investments that dwarf historical benchmarks like the Manhattan Project—by a factor of 20 this year alone from big AI players.
The event at Bharat Mandapam, running through February 20, serves as a global hub for AI discourse, drawing elite minds from policy, business, academia, and beyond. Wang praised India’s burgeoning role, noting it now hosts more consumer AI startups than America, heralding a new paradigm in technology development.
‘We’re in the early stages of genuine momentum,’ Wang enthused, positioning India as a beacon of progress. Sunak’s remarks resonate deeply amid accelerating AI advancements, advocating for governance that fosters trust and innovation universally.
This summit not only amplifies India’s voice but also challenges the world to align on AI’s transformative potential, potentially reshaping global tech landscapes for generations.