DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis hails India AI Impact Summit as a 'pivotal' moment for global AI cooperation

New Delhi, February 19 — Google DeepMind CEO and co-founder Demis Hassabis hailed the India AI Impact Summit 2026 as a critical platform for international cooperation, saying the world is at a “pivotal moment” in the evolution of artificial intelligence.

Speaking at Bharat Mandapam, he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government for convening the gathering and noted how the summit has grown, referencing earlier meetings, including one he said was first convened by former prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Hassabis said such forums have become essential for developing AI safely and collaboratively, describing the summit as an “incredibly important convening point for international dialogue” on the future of the technology.

Reflecting on the field’s rapid transformation, he recalled starting DeepMind in 2010, when “almost nobody was working on AI in the industry” and the effort “was just a dream.” The past 15 years, he said, have taken AI from humble beginnings into the mainstream.

He added that his lifelong commitment to AI is driven by its potential to address complex challenges.

“I have always believed it would be one of the most important and beneficial technologies ever invented,” Hassabis said, emphasizing his focus on using AI to “advance scientific discovery.” The summit brought together government policymakers, industry experts, academicians, technology innovators and civil society from around the world in New Delhi.

Organizers describe it as the first global AI gathering to be hosted in the Global South, aligning with the national vision of “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” (welfare for all, happiness for all) and the global principle of AI for Humanity. It is part of an evolving international process aimed at strengthening global cooperation on AI governance, safety and societal impact.