President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that artificial intelligence must be harnessed to promote the cultural values and capabilities of humankind, addressing the Heads of State Session held alongside the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, India.
Addressing fellow leaders, President Dissanayake warned that if AI development is confined to a limited number of languages and perspectives, it risks marginalising the world’s rich cultural diversity. For countries such as India and Sri Lanka, he noted, language and culture form the foundation of respect and trust, underscoring the need for inclusivity within the AI technology space.
The President stated that Sri Lanka stands ready to move forward in partnership with other nations, sharing common values and learning from one another to promote ethical artificial intelligence that leaves no one behind. He stressed that the world has reached a decisive moment requiring confidence, collaboration and collective action, noting that no country can build an AI-ready future in isolation.
The AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi was held under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with President Dissanayake attending at his invitation. On Tuesday evening (Feb. 18), the Sri Lankan leader also joined a state banquet hosted by Prime Minister Modi for visiting heads of state.
The summit’s main session brought together several global leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, along with representatives of nearly 100 major international technology companies.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India accounts for one in every six people worldwide and is home to the world’s largest youth population, positioning the country as a key hub for modern technology. He noted that India is not only a leading developer of emerging technologies but also among the fastest adopters globally.
