At the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos, James Manyika, Senior Vice President at Google parent Alphabet, cautioned that India faces growing but less visible risks as artificial intelligence adoption accelerates globally. He warned that the traditional digital divide could soon evolve into a far more consequential AI divide if access, skills, and infrastructure gaps are not addressed in time.
Speaking to Business Today on the sidelines of WEF, Manyika highlighted the strategic importance of India hosting the India AI Impact Summit 2026, calling it a pivotal moment in global AI collaboration.
“Having a summit like this in India and being able to actually show that we’re all working to make sure this does not become an AI divide — both in terms of access, infrastructure connectivity, people being able to use these tools, and people being skilled — is fundamentally important,” he said.
Manyika described India hosting the global AI summit as “one of the most exciting things” not just for the country, but for the world at large. He acknowledged India’s rapid technological progress over the years and underscored the optimism that distinguishes its approach to emerging technologies.
According to him, India’s AI narrative is driven less by fear and more by opportunity. “People here are not dominated by fear, but by possibility — about how we fully capitalise on this technology to transform our economies, education systems, and healthcare,” Manyika noted. He added that the next phase of global AI adoption demands a balance between ambition and accountability. “We think it’s important to be both bold and responsible,” he said.
Beyond policy discussions, Manyika pointed to India’s unique application of AI across critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education. He highlighted the country’s leadership in AI-driven medical diagnostics, particularly in addressing diseases like tuberculosis and diabetic retinopathy at scale.
The conversations at WEF 2026 reinforced the view that India is not merely an adopter of artificial intelligence, but an innovator shaping solutions for real-world challenges. As it prepares to host the AI Impact Summit, India is increasingly being seen as a global blueprint for leveraging AI to address developmental pressures while ensuring inclusive growth.
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