The AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, with 88 countries and international organisations endorsing a shared global vision to harness artificial intelligence for inclusive development, economic growth and social empowerment. The declaration is being viewed as a significant step towards institutionalising international cooperation on AI governance, resource access, human capital development and sustainable infrastructure.
Rooted in the principle of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” (welfare for all, happiness for all), the document emphasises equitable distribution of AI benefits across nations and communities. It calls for strengthening multistakeholder collaboration while respecting national sovereignty and policy priorities.
Seven ‘chakras’ to guide global cooperation
The declaration lays out a seven-pillar action framework that will shape future global AI collaboration:
- 1. Democratising AI resources
- 2. Economic growth and social good
- 3. Secure and trusted AI systems
- 4. AI for science
- 5. Access for social empowerment
- 6. Human capital development
- 7. Resilient, efficient and innovative AI infrastructure
The framework aims to ensure affordable access to AI infrastructure, datasets, tools and training, particularly for developing economies that face resource and capacity constraints.
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Focus on democratic access to AI resources
The declaration underscores that robust digital infrastructure and affordable connectivity are prerequisites for unlocking AI’s full potential. Invoking the idea of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), participating countries agreed on the need to reduce the cost of AI resources and strengthen local innovation ecosystems.
To support this goal, the Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI was introduced as a voluntary, non-binding framework to promote equitable access to foundational AI technologies and encourage region-specific solutions.
Economic transformation and open AI ecosystems
AI was identified as a key driver of economic transformation, with open-source and accessible AI models expected to accelerate innovation and productivity, particularly in emerging economies.
The summit announced the Global AI Impact Commons, a collaborative platform designed to share, replicate and scale successful AI use cases across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and public administration. The platform is expected to facilitate cross-country learning and faster deployment of development-oriented AI solutions.
Global consensus on trusted and secure AI
The declaration highlights that trust and security are central to maximising AI’s societal and economic benefits. The Trusted AI Commons was unveiled as a shared repository of tools, benchmarks and best practices to support the development of safe and reliable AI systems.
The initiative encourages industry-led voluntary standards, technical safeguards and policy frameworks that balance innovation with public interest across the AI lifecycle.
International network for AI in science
To expand the use of AI in scientific research, the summit announced the International Network of AI for Science Institutions, aimed at connecting research organisations across countries to pool computing resources, datasets and expertise.
Experts believe the initiative could accelerate breakthroughs in areas such as drug discovery, climate modelling and space research by enabling collaborative, data-driven science.
Social empowerment through AI adoption
The declaration stresses that AI must extend beyond industry applications to improve education, healthcare, digital services and livelihoods. The AI for Social Empowerment Platform will serve as a knowledge-sharing mechanism to promote scalable, inclusive AI solutions across social sectors.
Participating countries agreed that equitable AI adoption can help bridge digital divides and enhance participation in economic and civic life.
Skilling and workforce transition
Human capital development emerged as a central theme, with countries committing to expand AI literacy, train public officials and modernise vocational education systems.
The summit released an AI Workforce Development Playbook and Reskilling Principles to help nations prepare their workforces for an AI-driven economy. The guidelines encourage international collaboration on skilling initiatives and emphasise continuous learning frameworks.
Energy-efficient and resilient AI infrastructure
Recognising the growing energy and resource demands of AI, the declaration calls for the development of energy-efficient models and resilient infrastructure.
The Guiding Principles on Resilient and Efficient AI and an accompanying AI Infrastructure Playbook were introduced to support sustainable data centre development, optimised computing and reduced environmental impact.
Voluntary and flexible global framework
All initiatives under the declaration are voluntary and non-binding, allowing countries to implement them in line with national priorities. The document reiterates the commitment to sustained multilateral engagement and shared understanding on AI governance.
India’s ‘AI for All’ vision
India positioned “AI for All” as a central theme of the summit, emphasising inclusive access, multilingual AI solutions and innovation tailored to local needs. Policymakers said the approach is particularly relevant for the Global South, where gaps in infrastructure and skills often limit AI adoption.
The framework seeks to ensure that AI benefits are not concentrated in a few advanced economies but are distributed across diverse geographies.
Broad international backing
The New Delhi Declaration received support from major economies including the United States, United Kingdom, European Union members, Japan, Australia, Brazil, the UAE and Singapore, along with several developing nations and multilateral organisations. Observers say this broad endorsement signals growing convergence on cooperative AI governance.
Catalyst for long-term partnerships
Experts view the declaration as more than a policy statement, describing it as a blueprint for collaborative mechanisms that could position AI as a global public good. By linking economic growth, scientific research and social development, the framework aims to create a balanced and sustainable AI ecosystem.
The summit is expected to strengthen international partnerships, accelerate the development of shared standards and promote responsible AI deployment.
The declaration concludes that the shape of an AI-enabled world will depend on choices made today, underscoring the need for transparency, trust and collective action to ensure that artificial intelligence serves humanity in an inclusive and sustainable manner.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
