From February 17 to 20, New Delhi’s India AI Impact Summit 2026 brought together over 100 countries’ elite for the Global South’s first major AI conclave. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, at PM Modi’s behest, reiterated Colombo’s dedication to ethical, human-centered AI amid cultural preservation and global teamwork.
Presidents, prime ministers, UN dignitaries, agency chiefs, and industry pioneers converged to forge AI governance paths guided by ‘People, Planet, and Progress.’
Dissanayake’s February 19 Leaders’ Plenary speech centered AI’s duty to humanity: nurturing cultural ethos, defending entitlements, and democratizing access. Viewing AI infrastructure as prime terrain for economic-cultural alliances, he spotlighted international deliberations on aspirations, safeguards, and protocols.
Spotlighting culture in AI—frequently sidelined—the President demanded systems that cherish linguistic multiplicity and honor collective patrimony. Tech evolution ought to fortify communities, not obliterate identities, he posited.
Proposing fortified regional ties via four pillars—cost-effective reach, centralized linguistic data, joint appraisal methods, protective gear, and unified capability growth—Dissanayake charted a collaborative course.
Sri Lanka’s declaration endorsement underscored vows for transparent, ethical, public-serving AI innovation with global allies, keeping it inclusive and forward-looking.
Bilateral engagements defined the visit. UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid discussions targeted trade expansion, funding, tourism boom, AI synergies, and frontier fields.
Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay talks renewed bonds, prospecting culture, education, youth, and health collaborations.
With Macron, focus sharpened on innovation, digital frontiers, tourism, investments, maritime security; commendations for Paris Club debt aid and Cyclone Ditwah support, with France pledging ongoing rehab aid.
Lula da Silva’s huddle advanced South-South links, complete with a Brazil visit invite.
US representative Sergio Gor met to gauge relations and scout cooperation vistas.
PM Modi’s February 20 Hyderabad House dialogue with Dissanayake recapped post-2024/2025 visits’ gains: trade, energy, infrastructure, digital, economic, cultural deepening. Cyclone aid and summit hospitality drew India’s praise.
Summit themes spanned human resources, empowerment via inclusion, secure AI, science-resilience-innovation triad, AI democratization, and socioeconomic uplift.
This event heralds a new era where AI amplifies human potential while respecting global mosaics.