Global AI Impact Summit Commences in New Delhi
World leaders are convening in New Delhi to attend the AI Impact Summit, addressing myriad concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, including job displacement, the proliferation of deepfakes, energy consumption, regulatory frameworks, and apprehensions regarding human-level AI capabilities.
By CNBC-TV18
February 16, 2026, 12:47:09 PM IST
Overview of the Summit: The AI Impact Summit marks a pivotal gathering, the fourth in a series initiated in 2023, bringing together global leaders and thousands of representatives to deliberate on the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. The central focus lies in effective management and coordinated responses to the following urgent challenges:
- Job disruption across various sectors
- Malicious applications of AI technology
- Increased energy demands from AI infrastructure
- Regulatory measures
- Long-term ramifications for humanity
Threats to Employment: The advent of generative AI poses a significant threat to numerous industries such as software development, manufacturing, and entertainment. In particular, India’s extensive customer service and technology support sectors appear particularly vulnerable.
The shares of outsourcing firms have recently experienced a decline amid advancements in AI assistant technologies. Concerns have been raised that automation is substituting routine labor, potentially exacerbating socio-economic disparities despite initial productivity enhancements.
Risks from Malicious Bots: Ensuring the prevention of real-world harm is of paramount importance. Recently, families in the United States have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, asserting that ChatGPT played a role in tragic suicides.
In response, the company has bolstered its safety measures. Simultaneously, Elon Musk’s Grok tool has encountered bans in several jurisdictions due to its generation of sexualized deepfakes, often involving minors. Additional concerns revolve around copyright violations and AI-powered phishing scams.
Energy Consumption and Sustainability: Major tech companies are making substantial investments in AI infrastructure, constructing sophisticated data centers equipped with advanced microchips and, in select instances, nuclear power sources.
According to the International Energy Agency, electricity consumption by data centers could potentially double by 2030, following an estimated 1.5% of global consumption in 2024. Furthermore, water usage required for cooling these servers raises alarms regarding potential shortages in warmer climates.
Push for Regulation: Governments are increasingly formulating new legislation surrounding AI technologies. South Korea has recently enacted a comprehensive law mandating companies to disclose the use of generative AI in their products.
While several nations are contemplating similar measures, caution is advised, as U.S. Vice President JD Vance has previously warned against stringent regulations that could stifle innovation. The European Union’s AI Act retains the ability to prohibit systems deemed to present unacceptable risks to societal safety.
Existential Concerns: Some specialists express trepidation about the prospects of AI advancing to human-level competence, termed Artificial General Intelligence. This potential evolution prompts ethical quandaries and resignations from key figures in companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic.
Anthropic has indicated that its cutting-edge models could inadvertently aid in the development of chemical weaponry or facilitate other nefarious activities. Scholar Eliezer Yudkowsky likens AI to nuclear armaments in his 2025 publication, positing that superhuman systems could pose existential threats to humanity.
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