At the bustling India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Rishi Sunak, ex-UK PM, articulated a fascinating divergence in global AI sentiments. India radiates profound optimism and belief in AI’s promise, he said, while Western countries grapple with dominant fears over its implications.
During a fireside chat with Meta AI chief Alexander Wang, Sunak warned that bridging this chasm demands focused regulatory efforts. ‘Reducing this confidence gap is equally a matter of policy as technology,’ he asserted to the audience.
He lauded India’s digital ecosystem, teeming with ambitions and now boasting more consumer AI startups than the US. Investments in AI this year from leading companies will eclipse the Manhattan Project’s costs by 20 times, Sunak revealed, signaling explosive growth.
Wang reinforced this narrative, calling the moment ‘extremely exciting’ and early in a phase of rapid evolution. Held at Bharat Mandapam from February 16-20, the summit unites international stakeholders to navigate AI’s trajectory.
Sunak’s perspective offers a roadmap for harmony: Western caution must evolve into constructive engagement to keep pace with India’s forward momentum, ensuring AI benefits humanity broadly rather than widening divides.