New Delhi

Demis Hassabis, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Google DeepMind, on Wednesday described the India AI Impact Summit 2026 as a crucial forum for international cooperation, saying the world is at a “pivotal moment” in the evolution of artificial intelligence.

Speaking at Bharat Mandapam, Hassabis congratulated Narendra Modi and the Indian government for convening the summit, noting its growing importance in shaping global dialogue on AI.

“It is a huge honour to be here with so many colleagues from industry, academia and government. Congratulations to Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government on convening such an impressive summit at this pivotal moment for AI,” he said, adding that the gathering has evolved significantly since its first edition, convened under former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Hassabis stressed that platforms such as the India AI Impact Summit are no longer optional but essential for the safe, responsible and collaborative development of artificial intelligence. “It is becoming an incredibly important convening point for international dialogue and, hopefully, cooperation over the future of AI,” he said.

Reflecting on the rapid growth of the field, Hassabis recalled that when DeepMind was founded in 2010, artificial intelligence was largely confined to academic circles. “Almost nobody was working on AI in the industry then. It has been incredible to see how far we have come in just 15 years,” he said.

He added that his long-standing commitment to AI is driven by its potential to address some of the world’s most complex challenges. “I have always believed AI would be one of the most important and beneficial technologies ever invented,” Hassabis said, emphasising its role in advancing scientific discovery and expanding human knowledge.

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The India AI Impact Summit 2026 has brought together policymakers, industry experts, academics, innovators and civil society representatives from across the world. As the first major global AI summit hosted in the Global South, it aims to strengthen international cooperation on AI governance, safety and societal impact, while aligning with India’s vision of inclusive growth and the global principle of AI for humanity.