Davos: In a major diplomatic and technological push at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw held strategic discussions with Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, and Chris Lehane, Chief Global Affairs Officer of OpenAI.
The meetings centered on India’s rapid ascent as a trusted global partner in the artificial intelligence landscape and the country’s commitment to using technology for societal advancement.
Shri Vaishnaw highlighted India’s comprehensive five-layer AI strategy, which integrates applications, models, semiconductors, infrastructure, and energy. He emphasized that India is uniquely positioned to lead the world in AI services, supported by a robust public-private partnership that provides affordable compute power to startups and researchers.
The Minister noted that India’s approach prioritizes democratizing access to technology, ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared broadly rather than concentrated among a few global players.
The Minister extended a formal invitation to both leaders to participate in the upcoming AI Impact Summit, scheduled to take place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, 2026. This summit, the first of its kind in the Global South, will shift the international conversation from theoretical safety to measurable real-world impact. It is structured around three core pillars—People, Planet, and Progress—and will focus on scaling AI solutions in critical sectors like health, agriculture, and education.
During the deliberations, global industry leaders expressed strong optimism regarding India’s growth trajectory and its emergence as a reliable value-chain partner.
Shri Vaishnaw reaffirmed that India belongs in the top tier of AI-ready nations, backed by world-class talent and a methodical roadmap for foundational technologies.
Union Minister underscored that with commercial semiconductor production set to begin in February 2026, India is ready to co-develop the next generation of safe, ethical, and inclusive AI for the world