Global collaboration on artificial intelligence received a major boost on Saturday as 88 countries and international organisations formally endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact at the conclusion of the AI Impact Summit 2026.
The declaration signals a broad international agreement on using artificial intelligence as a driver of economic development and social progress, while ensuring that its benefits are shared fairly across societies.
Rooted in the principle of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” (welfare for all, happiness for all), the document stresses that AI must serve humanity as a whole rather than a select few.
The declaration lays strong emphasis on strengthening international cooperation, promoting multi-stakeholder participation, respecting national sovereignty, and building accessible, transparent and trustworthy AI systems.
It calls for frameworks that enable responsible innovation while safeguarding public interest.
Global AI cooperation under the declaration is built around seven core pillars: 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, developing human capital, and building resilient, efficient and innovative AI ecosystems.
It highlights the role of AI in economic transformation, the importance of open-source and inclusive AI platforms, the need for energy-efficient digital infrastructure, and the expanding use of AI in governance, science and public service delivery.
The declaration also underlines that strong digital infrastructure and affordable, meaningful connectivity are essential to unlocking AI’s full potential worldwide.
Drawing inspiration from the idea of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world as one family — the declaration recognises the need to improve affordability and access to AI resources so that all nations can develop, adopt and deploy AI for the benefit of their citizens.
It also acknowledges the Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI as a voluntary, non-binding framework aimed at widening access to foundational AI resources, supporting locally driven innovation, and strengthening resilient AI ecosystems in harmony with national laws.
The adoption of the declaration at New Delhi is being seen as a landmark step toward shaping a more inclusive, cooperative and globally aligned future for artificial intelligence.
