New Delhi: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has confirmed that he will visit India later this month to take part in the Global AI Impact Summit, to be hosted by New Delhi, marking a significant moment in the global conversation on artificial intelligence governance.
The summit will be the first major international conclave on artificial intelligence impact and regulation to be held in the Global South, placing developing countries at the centre of debates that are rapidly shaping international relations, economies and societies. Guterres announced his participation while responding to a question at a United Nations press briefing, where he underlined the growing urgency of coordinated global action on artificial intelligence.
Calling artificial intelligence “an absolutely crucial issue in international relations and one of the biggest challenges of our times,” the UN chief said the pace of technological change demands collective decision-making. He stressed that governments alone cannot shape the future of AI and that civil society, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders must be part of the global dialogue.
Guterres praised India for taking the initiative to convene the summit, describing it as a strong signal of leadership from a developing country with advanced technological capabilities. He said hosting such a high-level global discussion in India carries particular relevance at a time when concerns about unequal access to technology and widening digital divides are growing.
The Secretary-General said his message at the summit would closely reflect the principles and outcomes of the United Nations’ Global Digital Compact. He plans to brief participating heads of state and other representatives on proposals for an international scientific panel on artificial intelligence, the expectations emerging from ongoing global AI dialogues, and the need to build consensus around responsible and inclusive governance frameworks.
A central focus of his address, Guterres said, will be the strengthening of AI capacity in developing countries. He highlighted the need to mobilise international support for capacity-building so that emerging economies can both benefit from artificial intelligence and participate meaningfully in shaping global norms.
According to Guterres, empowering developing nations in the AI ecosystem is not only essential for fairness but also for the stability of the international system. He said India’s role in hosting the summit places it in a key position to influence how the world approaches inclusive, ethical and responsible artificial intelligence governance in the years ahead.
