Business

A global summit on artificial intelligence is starting in New Delhi on Monday, focusing on major issues such as job loss and child safety. However, some participants are concerned that the wide-ranging topics could lead to fewer solid commitments from world leaders. The rise in demand for generative AI has boosted profits and stock prices for many tech firms, but worries are increasing about the potential dangers it brings to society and the environment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially open the five-day AI Impact Summit on Monday afternoon, which aims to create a “shared roadmap for global AI governance and collaboration.” This marks the fourth annual meeting on the challenges and chances presented by AI, following previous gatherings in Paris, Seoul, and Bletchley, the site of Britain’s code-breaking efforts during the war. This year, the Indian government expects around 250,000 attendees from various sectors, including 20 national leaders and 45 ministerial delegations. Notable tech CEOs, such as Sam Altman from OpenAI and Sundar Pichai from Google, will also be present, although Jensen Huang, the CEO of Nvidia, has canceled his appearance due to unforeseen issues. Modi plans to “strengthen global partnerships and define India’s leadership in the AI decade ahead” during discussions with leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, according to the organizers. However, it remains uncertain if they will make significant moves to hold AI companies accountable. Amba Kak, co-executive director of the AI Now Institute, told AFP that commitments made in the past have mainly been limited “self-regulatory” measures that allow AI companies to evaluate their own performance. Kak, who previously advised the US Federal Trade Commission on AI, is participating in the summit.