Exploring Global AI Policy Priorities
Ahead of the India AI Impact Summit
As global conversations on artificial intelligence accelerate, governments, industry leaders, and civil society are converging to shape shared approaches to AI policy, governance, and innovation.
With India set to host the India AI Impact Summit in February 2026—the first global AI summit to be held in the Global South—India’s leadership role in the future of AI governance has come into sharp focus.
On January 30, 2026, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) convened leading global voices through the Wadhwani AI Center and the Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics to examine the policy priorities, governance challenges, and development opportunities shaping the next phase of AI.
Featured Keynote
Dr. Romesh Wadhwani
Founder and Chairman, Wadhwani Foundation
Founder and Chairman, SymphonyAI
In his keynote, Dr. Romesh Wadhwani describes the rapid transition from today’s AI tools to autonomous AI agents that will transform economies, enterprises, and governance within the next five years. He explains how AI policy will shape global competitiveness, contrasting the approaches of the United States, China, Europe, and India. Positioning India as a leader in practical AI adoption, he highlights its focus on large-scale deployment, light-touch regulation, sovereign AI infrastructure, and workforce reskilling—underscoring India’s opportunity to lead AI-driven growth across emerging economies ahead of the India AI Impact Summit.
Watch the Sessions
Welcoming Remarks
John J. Hamre
President and CEO, CSIS
Panel 1: Reflections on Paris and Prospects for New Delhi
Speakers
- Laurent Bili, Ambassador of France to the United States
- Vinay Kwatra, Ambassador of India to the United States
Moderator
- Gregory C. Allen, Senior Adviser, Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS
Special Address
Ajay Kumar Sood
Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India
Panel 2: Unpacking the Global Challenges and Opportunities for AI Governance
Speakers
- Dean Ball, Senior Fellow, Foundation for American Innovation
- Russ Headlee, Senior Bureau Official, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy
- Shana Mansbach, Vice President, Strategy and Communications, Fathom
Moderator
- Aalok Mehta, Director, Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS
Panel 3: Industry Perspectives on AI Innovation in India
Speakers
- Khalil Gharbieh, Senior Director of Trade Policy, Microsoft
- Poornima Shenoy, U.S. Representative, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
- David Weller, Senior Director, Emerging Technology, Competitiveness & Sustainability Policy, Google
Moderator - Rick Rossow, Senior Adviser and Chair, India and Emerging Asia Economics at CSIS
Closing Keynote
Navin Girishankar, President, Economic Security and Technology Department, CSIS
Closing Address
Gregory C. Allen, Senior Adviser, Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS
About the Wadhwani AI Center
The Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS conducts high-impact research on the policy implications of artificial intelligence, with a focus on governance, geopolitics, national security, economic competitiveness, and global governance. Since its launch in 2023, the Center has shaped the global conversation on AI policy through expert analysis, trusted insights, and engagement with government officials, international partners, technology companies, and academic researchers.
About CSIS
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonpartisan policy research organization based in Washington, DC. CSIS develops practical policy solutions and strategic insights to address the world’s greatest challenges across security, technology, economics, and global governance.