New Delhi summit calls for AI in the public interest

To serve as a driver of development, artificial intelligence (AI) requires equitable investment, a strong understanding of local contexts, and coordinated action from public authorities, private companies, and research institutions. That was the purpose of the AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi, India, from 16 to 20 February – building strong partnerships among countries and stakeholders with shared priorities and complementary expertise.

According to Sanjeev Singla, India’s ambassador to France, “the Global South must be a co-creator of AI, not just a user.” This vision was already central to a pre-Summit event held at Agence Française de Développement (AFD) on 28 January, which brought together partners from India, Europe, and Africa to mobilize expertise and financing for more inclusive and sovereign AI systems.

In India, AI supports climate resilience and forest conservation

In India, AFD supports concrete projects that reflect this locally grounded approach to AI.

In Himachal Pradesh, recurrent floods threaten millions of people each year. Under the Disaster Risk Reduction Program, early warning systems have been upgraded using AI. These platforms combine real-time weather data, satellite imagery, hydrological sensors, and machine learning models capable of forecasting flood developments up to 72 hours in advance. As a result, authorities improve forecast accuracy, reduce false alarms, and better target evacuation messages to vulnerable communities.

In Assam, AFD financed the development of a geographic information system to monitor forest cover and wildlife. AI tools help detect illegal deforestation rapidly through satellite data analysis.

AFD’s ambition: investing in responsible AI to advance the Sustainable Development Goals

AFD aims to invest in responsible AI that supports health care, agriculture, and urban planning, while strengthening climate resilience and education.

For example, with Bibliothèques Sans Frontières and Senegal’s Ministry of Education, AFD supported an AI tool that can operate offline – reducing its environmental footprint – to assist teachers in Dakar and Thiès and improve access to learning resources in areas with limited connectivity.

To promote inclusive AI development in low- and middle-income countries, AFD created the Artificial Intelligence Investment Potential Index (AIIPI). This international benchmarking tool assesses countries’ potential to attract AI investment in a responsible and impactful way. It helps guide public policy and prioritize investments that support the development of responsible AI ecosystems. The AIIPI considers technological and economic indicators, as well as political, institutional, and social factors, highlighting ecosystems capable of developing AI in the public interest.

Further reading

• Innovation within AFD Group
• Reimagining Data Governance for AI