New Delhi Declaration: A new era for sovereign AI and digital equity

The 2026 AI Impact Summit in New Delhi highlighted a growing push by developing nations to reduce reliance on Western tech dominance, especially from Silicon Valley, and instead build “sovereign AI” systems that control their own data, infrastructure, and digital narratives. India promoted its model of using AI in public digital services to expand access and social equity, while China, represented by Vice Minister Chen Jiachang, advocated a multipolar global governance approach emphasizing national sovereignty and large-scale industrial use. Although the summit faced logistical problems and some technical embarrassments, more than 80 countries signed a joint declaration supporting fair distribution of AI benefits, signaling a shift toward a more decentralized and competitive global tech landscape rather than one dominated by a single standard.

Credit CGTN