New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact adopted by 88 nations

Metro India News | new delhi

In a significant step towards shaping the future of artificial intelligence governance, 88 countries and international organisations have endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, adopted at the AI Impact Summit 2026 held in the national capital on February 18–19. Major global powers including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, Japan, Australia and members of the European Union were among the signatories, reflecting a broad-based international consensus on collaborative AI development.

The declaration is anchored in the principle of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” — welfare for all, happiness for all — underscoring that the benefits of artificial intelligence must be equitably shared across humanity. It calls for strengthened international cooperation, multi-stakeholder engagement, respect for national sovereignty and the advancement of accessible, secure and trustworthy AI frameworks.

Structured around seven key pillars, the declaration lays the foundation for global AI cooperation. These pillars include democratising AI resources, promoting economic growth and social good, ensuring secure and trusted AI systems, advancing AI for scientific research, expanding access for social empowerment, strengthening human capital development, and building resilient, efficient and innovative AI ecosystems.

According to the official release, the summit is expected to catalyse long-term international partnerships and position AI as a key driver of economic transformation. The declaration highlights the importance of open-source and accessible AI ecosystems, energy-efficient infrastructure and the expansion of AI applications in governance, science and public service delivery.

The summit also unveiled a series of voluntary and collaborative global initiatives. These include a Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI aimed at promoting affordable access to foundational AI resources and supporting locally relevant innovation ecosystems. Another major initiative is the Global AI Impact Commons, a platform designed to scale and replicate AI use cases worldwide and enable cross-country collaboration for development impact.

Participants also endorsed the creation of a Trusted AI Commons — a repository of tools, benchmarks and best practices to support the development of secure and reliable AI systems. An international network of AI for science institutions will be established to facilitate global scientific collaboration and enhance AI-driven research capabilities.

Further deliverables include an AI for Social Empowerment Platform to promote equitable AI adoption and knowledge exchange, as well as an AI Workforce Development Playbook focused on skilling, reskilling and AI literacy. Guiding principles on resilient and energy-efficient AI infrastructure were also adopted to ensure sustainability in AI expansion.

The declaration places strong emphasis on voluntary, non-binding frameworks and sustained global collaboration. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing shared priorities in AI governance and translating the declaration’s vision into actionable outcomes through continued international cooperation.