India's AI Summit Challenges Western Dominance in Tech Governance

India is convening a global AI summit, a strategic move to establish itself as a key arbiter in technology governance following the perceived failure of previous Western-led efforts. With leaders like Emmanuel Macron attending, the event marks a significant inflection point, shifting the center of gravity for AI diplomacy eastward. This summit is not just a meeting; it’s an assertion of influence, challenging the long-held assumption that AI rules would be written exclusively by the US and Europe.

This initiative puts pressure on Washington and Brussels to engage with a new, multilateral power dynamic, potentially giving the Global South a stronger voice in shaping AI regulations. The summit could either foster a more inclusive global consensus or deepen geopolitical fractures, creating fragmented regulatory landscapes. The key question is whether this new forum can succeed where others have failed, establishing a precedent for how standards for emerging technologies are set and who gets to set them.