New Delhi: Pakistan has not been invited to the AI Impact Summit to be held in India from February 16 to 20, even as representatives from more than 100 countries and around 20 heads of state are expected to attend. Official sources said the selection of participating nations was based on strategic considerations, technological relevance and a shared commitment to responsible AI development.
Sources indicated that India has prioritised countries that support secure, transparent and human-centric artificial intelligence. As a result, several South Asian neighbours have been invited, but Pakistan does not figure on the list. An official said the summit aims to strengthen global cooperation and therefore invitations were extended to countries with an active role in the AI ecosystem.
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The conference is being viewed as significant in shaping the global direction of AI deployment. Earlier summits in the UK, South Korea and France focused largely on regulatory frameworks and risk mitigation, whereas India intends to emphasise AI as a tool for development, inclusion and sustainable progress.
The central theme of the summit is built around “People, Planet and Progress”. Seven thematic sessions, inspired by the concept of balance across seven life cycles, will cover AI policy, innovation, ethics, cybersecurity, data governance and global cooperation. Governments, technology companies, start-ups, academic institutions and multilateral organisations are expected to participate.
According to sources, the Prime Minister will hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Key areas of discussion will include semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, AI research and digital public infrastructure. India is seeking to leverage the platform to build partnerships for affordable and accessible AI solutions for the Global South.
Deliberations will also focus on responsible AI use, algorithmic transparency, reducing bias and the impact of automation on employment. Sector-specific applications in defence, healthcare, agriculture, education and climate action are expected to be showcased as practical models.
Industry participation is set to be substantial, although Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang has cancelled his proposed visit to India. Despite this, several global technology firms are likely to be represented at senior levels.
Experts believe the summit could position India at the forefront of global AI governance and policy discourse. The country has already demonstrated large-scale technology deployment through digital public goods such as Aadhaar-linked services and the Unified Payments Interface, models that could be integrated with AI to create new opportunities for developing nations.
A joint declaration is expected at the conclusion of the summit, outlining global standards for responsible AI, principles for data security and a roadmap for technological cooperation. This is being seen as a potential stepping stone towards a multilateral framework for AI governance.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
