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Calling India the right place for global AI talks, the UN chief warns the technology must not remain in the hands of a few powers. As world leaders gather in New Delhi, the summit could and redefine the balance of global influence.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised India as a successful emerging economy
New Delhi: The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has described India as the “right place” for global deliberations on Artificial Intelligence (AI), praising the country as a successful emerging economy with expanding influence in world affairs.
Speaking to PTI ahead of the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, Guterres congratulated India for organising the high-level gathering and stressed that AI must serve all of humanity rather than a limited group of powerful nations.
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The UN chief cautioned against the concentration of AI capabilities in only a few advanced economies or their domination by two global superpowers an apparent reference to the United States and China.
He said it would be unacceptable if the transformative benefits of AI were restricted to a handful of countries, emphasising that nations across the Global South must share equally in technological innovation, development opportunities, and economic gains. According to Guterres, AI should evolve as a universal public good that promotes inclusive global progress.
The India-AI Impact Summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20 in New Delhi, will be the first major AI summit hosted in the Global South. The event will focus on three core themes People, Planet, and Progress and is expected to bring together prominent political leaders and global technology executives.
Among those expected to participate are French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei.
Guterres is also scheduled to travel to India to take part in the discussions.
Highlighting shifting geopolitical dynamics, Guterres said India is central to shaping what he termed a “true multipolar world,” where global influence is not concentrated in one dominant power. He noted that emerging economies must play stronger roles in trade, technology, and international cooperation, pointing to India’s expanding engagement with the European Union as a positive development.
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He added that he looks forward to discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit.
Guterres also underscored the need to reform the UN Security Council so that it reflects contemporary geopolitical realities rather than the post-Second World War power structure. Stronger representation for emerging economies, he said, is essential to ensure fairness, credibility, and effectiveness in maintaining global peace and security.
Concluding his remarks, the UN chief praised India’s democratic traditions, cultural diversity, and long-standing civilisational influence, noting that it is always a pleasure to visit the country.
