The Global AI Summit 2026, co-hosted by Anthropic and the Government of India in February, signals India’s rising leadership in global AI diplomacy with a focus on responsible, inclusive, and sovereign AI.

The summit frames India as a hub for ethical AI and human-centric governance, aiming to attract substantial investment and international partnerships while showcasing its developer talent.

Geopolitical and economic implications position India to influence global AI standards and forge sovereign AI diplomacy, potentially shaping multinational collaborations.

Public reaction is expected to be mixed, with excitement about enhanced AI diplomacy and high-profile attendance, alongside concerns about job displacement from automation and tools like Claude, and debate over impacts on India’s IT services sector.

India’s IT sector faces the challenge of balancing automation-driven opportunities with job protection and re-skilling, while opportunities include increased investments and a stronger AI ecosystem.

Anticipated outcomes include elevated standing in global AI dialogue, potential new regulatory frameworks, and investments estimated at $70 to $100 billion for AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and data centers in India.

Anthropic is expanding in India, opening its first office, as part of a collaboration to convene tech leaders, IndiaAI-backed startups, researchers, and policymakers on human-centric AI, safety, and governance.

Long-term, India could capture a substantial share of the global AI market by 2030 if infrastructure, policy, and ethical governance keep pace with rapid tech growth while navigating geopolitical dynamics.