AI Evolution: Balancing Equity and Opportunity in a Digitally Diverse World

India AI Summit 2026 Highlights Importance of AI Accessibility, Affordability, and Accountability

G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant emphasized the need for Artificial Intelligence to evolve underpinned by the principles of accessibility, affordability, and accountability during the India AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

• Kant warned that without a robust framework of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), AI might deepen global inequalities.
• The Global South, particularly India, plays a crucial role in AI development, contributing more data than the United States.
• Kant suggested that AI must evolve beyond English-centric models to be natively multilingual, benefiting diverse populations.
• He drew inspiration from India's successful Digital Public Infrastructure, suggesting a similar model for AI to foster broad-based development.
• Kant emphasized the need for open-sourced models and private sector participation layered over a digital public identity, ensuring equitable progress.

Key Takeaways from the India AI Summit 2026

• Need for Inclusive AI Models: For AI to be genuinely inclusive, it must evolve beyond English-centric models to be natively multilingual.
• Role of Global South in AI Development: The Global South, particularly India, plays a crucial role in AI development, contributing more data than the United States.
• Importance of Digital Public Infrastructure: A robust framework of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is necessary to prevent AI from deepening global inequalities.
• Need for Equitable Progress: Open-sourced models and private sector participation layered over a digital public identity are essential for ensuring equitable progress.

Panelists at the event echoed concerns about massive AI investments potentially consolidating power, urging a focus on transforming lives in the Global South.