Summit Aligns With World Day of Social Justice The AI Impact Summit opened in New Delhi on 20 February 2026, coinciding with the World Day of Social Justice, and positioned human‑centred AI as a tool for decent work and shared prosperity [1][2]. Organizers gathered tech CEOs, politicians, scientists and activists to steer AI development from a Global‑South perspective [2]. The event marked the first large‑scale AI forum of its kind in the region, underscoring India’s ambition to shape global AI governance [1].

India Leads Global AI Adoption and Projects Millions of Jobs India now holds the world’s largest share of monthly active ChatGPT mobile users, reflecting deep penetration of generative‑AI services [1]. Analysts estimate AI could create more than three million new technology jobs by 2030 and reshape over ten million existing positions [1]. The BBC noted that while major cities host projects from Google, Nvidia and Amazon, many Indian workers earn roughly 480,000 rupees annually labeling data, illustrating a stark wage gap within the ecosystem [2].

Government Launches AI Mission and Partners With International Bodies The Union Budget 2026‑27 created a High‑Powered “Education to Employment and Enterprise” Standing Committee to assess AI’s impact on jobs and embed AI education from school level [1]. The AI Mission, funded with $1.2 billion, aims for digital sovereignty and economic transformation, though progress lags behind better‑funded rivals [2]. The International Labour Organization, together with India and the Global Coalition for Social Justice, is gathering evidence on AI exposure and supporting the e‑Shram platform, now covering 64.3 % of informal workers after a $17.5 billion Microsoft AI‑diffusion commitment [1].

Experts Flag Uneven Exposure, Language Gaps and Safety Concerns The Hindu highlighted that only about 11.5 % of jobs in low‑income countries face generative‑AI exposure, compared with one‑third in high‑income economies, calling for targeted public investment [1]. The BBC emphasized language barriers, noting major US chatbots cover only half of India’s 22 official languages, and warned that safety discussions were sidelined by prominent ethicists and scholars [2]. These differing emphases reveal both optimism about job creation and persistent worries about inequitable benefits and insufficient safety safeguards.