New Delhi, Feb. 6, 2026 — United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres has confirmed he will travel to India later this month to attend the Global AI Impact Summit hosted by New Delhi. The summit is the first major global artificial intelligence conference focused on impact and governance to be held in the Global South.
Speaking at a UN press briefing, Guterres said, “And I will be there,” and described artificial intelligence as “an absolutely crucial issue in international relations and one of the biggest challenges of our times.” He urged countries to collaborate on shaping AI’s future and said such discussions must include not only governments but also civil society and other stakeholders.
Praising India’s leadership in convening the meeting, Guterres noted the significance of holding the summit in a developing‑country context despite India’s advanced technological capabilities. He said his remarks would align with the UN’s Global Digital Compact and that he would brief participating heads of state and other attendees on the proposed international scientific panel on AI, expectations from global dialogues, and ways to mobilize international support for capacity‑building in developing countries.
Guterres added that strengthening AI capacity in developing nations would be a central objective of the summit and of India’s role in promoting inclusive and responsible AI governance.
