India AI Summit 2026: Future of AI cannot be left to a few countries or the wealthy, says Antonio Guterres; why UN Secretary-General said many countries will be left out of the AI era
New Delhi: United Nations Secretary-General Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday that everyone should have access to artificial intelligence (AI), and its future cannot be left to the hands of a few countries or the wealthy.
Addressing heads of state, top technology company executives, experts, representatives of educational institutions, and other guests on the fourth day of the India AI Summit 2026 at the Bharat Mandapam here, Guterres said that the first-ever AI summit in the Global South holds special significance. "The future of AI cannot be decided by a few countries, nor can it be left to the whims of a few billionaires," he said.
He added that "AI should benefit everyone," and if done correctly, it can help advance the Sustainable Development Goals, otherwise it could exacerbate inequality. On the one hand, it can accelerate significant advances in medicine, expand educational opportunities, strengthen food security, bolster climate action and disaster preparedness, and improve access to essential public services. "But it can also deepen inequality, exacerbate discrimination, and exacerbate harm," he said.
Guterres said the summit's message is simple: real impact means technology that improves lives and protects the planet. He called for the creation of AI in which dignity is a fundamental standard.
The UN Secretary-General noted that last year, the UN General Assembly took two decisive steps: establishing an independent international scientific panel on AI and launching a global dialogue on AI governance. He explained that this panel has been appointed and includes 40 leading experts from various fields and disciplines. The first session of the dialogue will be held in Geneva in July, where individual countries and stakeholders will be able to present their views.
Many countries will be left out of the AI era: Guterres
Antonio Guterres said that without investment, many countries will be left out of the AI era. He called for the establishment of a global AI fund to build basic capacity in developing countries, providing them with skills, data, affordable computing power, and inclusive ecosystems. The fund aims to raise $3 billion, less than one percent of a single technology company's annual revenue.
He said this is a small price to pay for the spread of AI, which will benefit everyone.
AI must enhance human capabilities rather than replace them
Amid AI's increasing energy and water demands, Guterres emphasized the need to transition data centers and supply chains to green energy. He stressed the need to ensure that vulnerable communities do not bear the brunt of this cost, that AI enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them, and that AI is safe for everyone.
He warned against the harms of AI, saying, "We must protect people from exploitation, manipulation, and abuse. No child should be a test subject for uncontrolled AI."