‘AI Is An Absolutely Crucial Issue’: UN Chief Praises India’s Leadership Ahead Of Global Summit

Last Updated:February 05, 2026, 10:16 IST

The UN chief said, “I do believe that AI today is an absolutely crucial issue in international relations and one of the biggest challenges of our times.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Image Credit: Reuters)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday praised India for assuming a leadership role on artificial intelligence, calling it an “absolutely crucial issue" in international relations and one of the biggest challenges of current times, PTI reported.

Guterres confirmed that he will travel to India to attend the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 19-20.

“I will be there," Guterres said at a press conference, responding to a question by PTI about the summit. “Well, I am delighted that I have the chance to participate in this meeting," he added. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South and will be anchored around the principles of People, Planet and Progress.

Highlighting the importance of the issue, the UN chief said, “I do believe that AI today is an absolutely crucial issue in international relations and one of the biggest challenges of our times. So it is very important that countries come together and discuss it, also with civil society, in all kinds of circumstances." He added, “And I praise India for having assumed the leadership in relation to this summit," PTI reported.

Guterres said his message at the summit would be closely linked to the conclusions of the Global Digital Compact and would focus on explaining to world leaders and participants “what exactly will be the role of our international scientific panel, what do we expect from the dialogues and hopefully how can we better mobilize the international community to support capacity building in developing countries."

He added that for India, as a developing country with growing technological capacity, this objective would be central to the summit.

The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 envisions a future where artificial intelligence advances humanity, promotes inclusive growth and safeguards the planet. The Global Digital Compact, adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future, laid out a shared vision for an open, safe and inclusive digital future, including the creation of an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI.

As part of this effort, Guterres has recommended 40 experts from across the world to serve on the panel. “The Panel is a direct response to the mandate given by Member States in the Pact for the Future to strengthen multilateral solutions for emerging technologies that are reshaping every aspect of our lives," Guterres said. Among those recommended is Balaraman Ravindran of IIT Madras, PTI reported.

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