Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added humor to a serious discussion on artificial intelligence during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Apologizing for arriving a few minutes late, Sunak lightened the mood by saying, “AI can do many things as we found out this week, but it can’t yet fix Delhi’s traffic.” The remark drew laughter from the audience and quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the summit.
‘No Better Place Than India’ for AI Talks
Beyond the banter, Sunak praised India as a global hub for AI transformation. He said no better country exists to host discussions on how artificial intelligence can reshape economies. Addressing delegates, he emphasized that AI must benefit not only developed nations but also the developing world. Sunak highlighted that India’s leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a platform where policymakers, innovators, and industry leaders can collaborate on real-world AI applications.
AI for the Developing World
During his keynote address, Sunak stressed the importance of global cooperation in managing AI’s rapid growth. He said leaders must treat AI as a central policy responsibility rather than a niche technology topic. According to him, the debate has shifted from what AI tools can do to how governments choose to deploy them. Sunak argued that responsible deployment can transform sectors such as healthcare and education across emerging economies.
India Positioned to Lead in AI
Sunak described India as uniquely positioned to lead in AI adoption and innovation. He pointed to the country’s strong digital public infrastructure, deep talent pool, and growing startup ecosystem. He also noted the optimism with which Indians view AI, contrasting it with the anxiety often seen in Western nations. By focusing on mass adoption and scalable deployment, India can demonstrate how AI delivers measurable impact.
Sunak’s remarks blended humor with strategic insight, reinforcing India’s rising influence in shaping the global AI agenda.
