The New Delhi Declaration marks a new milestone in global AI governance

The AI Impact Summit, held in New Delhi on 18–19 February 2026, concluded with the adoption of the AI Impact Summit Declaration, New Delhi, a consensus document that establishes the foundations for global cooperation on artificial intelligence. The text sets no binding obligations, but rather voluntary frameworks that signatory countries can adopt and adapt to their own contexts.

The declaration, driven by India and inspired by the Sanskrit principles "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" —the world is one family— and "Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya" —welfare and happiness for all—, is structured around seven pillars of action (Chakras):

1. Democratizing AI Resources. The Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI seeks to improve affordable access to AI infrastructures and foundation models, particularly in developing countries.
2. Economic Growth and Social Good. The Global AI Impact Commons provides a platform to replicate across countries the use cases that have proven effective in other contexts.
3. Secure and Trusted AI. The Trusted AI Commons brings together tools, benchmarks and best practices in a shared repository for the development of secure systems.
4. Science. An international network of scientific institutions aims to strengthen research and development through the use of AI.
5. Access for Social Empowerment. A platform for knowledge exchange and scalable practices is created to ensure AI reaches all sectors of society.
6. Human Capital. A set of guiding principles for professional reskilling and an AI workforce development playbook seek to prepare workers for an increasingly automated economy.
7. Resilience, Innovation, and Efficiency. The declaration acknowledges the growing energy demands of AI development and proposes voluntary principles supported by a reference playbook on infrastructure.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing shared global priorities and translating these aspirations into concrete actions, with the aim of ensuring that the benefits of AI reach all of humanity.

The declaration has been signed by 88 countries and international organisations from every continent, including the United States, China, Russia, the European Union, Brazil, India, Japan, Germany, France and Spain, reflecting an unusually broad base of support for an agreement of this nature in the technology sector.

Key points

• The AI Impact Summit 2026, held in New Delhi, concluded with the adoption of the AI Impact Summit Declaration, New Delhi.
• The declaration has been signed by 88 countries and international organisations from every continent.
• The agreement establishes voluntary, non-binding frameworks that each country can adopt and adapt to its own context.
• It is structured around seven pillars: democratisation of resources, economic growth, safe AI, AI for science, social empowerment, human capital and energy efficiency.
• Concrete initiatives are launched, including the Global AI Impact Commons, the Trusted AI Commons and an international network of scientific institutions.
• The declaration addresses the growing energy demands of AI and promotes the development of more efficient systems.
• Participants commit to translating their shared aspirations into concrete actions so that the benefits of AI reach all of humanity.