New Delhi. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday that artificial intelligence (AI) should be everyone’s right and its future cannot be left to a few countries or the wealthy. Addressing various heads of state, top executives of technology companies, experts, representatives of educational institutions and other guests on the fourth day of the India AI Summit 2026 at the Bharat Pavilion here, Guterres said that organizing the AI Summit for the first time in the Global South holds special significance.
He said, ‘The future of AI cannot be decided by a few countries, nor can it be left to the wishes of a few billionaires.’ He said that ‘the benefits of AI should reach everyone’ and if done right, it can help advance the Sustainable Development Goals, otherwise it could further increase inequality. On the one hand, it can accelerate important advances in medicine, expand educational opportunities, strengthen food security, strengthen climate action and disaster preparedness, and improve access to essential public services. “But it can also deepen inequality, increase bias and perpetuate harm,” he said.
Guterres said the message of the summit is simple: real impact means technology that improves lives and protects the planet. He appealed for the creation of an AI in which dignity is the fundamental standard. The UN Secretary-General said that last year the UN General Assembly took two decisive steps – the establishment of an independent international scientific panel on AI and the launch of a global dialogue on AI governance.
He informed that this panel has been appointed. It comprises 40 leading experts from various fields and disciplines. On the other hand, the first session of the Dialogue will be held in Geneva in July in which every country and stakeholder will be able to present their views. Guterres said that without investment, many countries will be left out of the AI era.
He called for the establishment of a global fund on AI to build basic capacity in developing countries by providing them with skills, data, affordable computing power and inclusive ecosystems. The fund aims to raise $3 billion, which is less than one percent of the annual revenue of a single technology company. He said that this is a small price to pay for the spread of AI, which will benefit everyone.
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