Actor Soha Ali Khan, speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on Monday, highlighted the growing risks women face in the rapidly evolving digital world and stressed that strong ethical safeguards in artificial intelligence are now crucial. Khan, a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) advocate, spoke during the session titled “Reimagining Gender in Technology – Designing safer digital futures and advancing ethical AI for inclusive platforms.” She discussed how technology has transformed opportunities for women across India.

“I’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand. Young women are building businesses online, and girls are sharing their entrepreneurial journeys on digital platforms,” she said, underscoring how these tools empower women to become entrepreneurs and storytellers. Khan also noted that digital literacy initiatives and online tools have opened new avenues for learning and self-expression. “AI is extraordinary. It improves healthcare access, expands education, and helps close maternal health gaps. From digital literacy programs to young girls becoming confident storytellers, these tools are truly empowering,” she said.

However, Soha warned that the digital space reflects existing social inequalities. “The digital world is not neutral; it mirrors the society that creates it. AI is now accelerating these dynamics,” she said. While AI offers numerous benefits, she pointed out its potential for misuse. “AI makes it faster, cheaper, and easier than ever to impersonate someone, create deep fakes, manipulate images, and misuse personal data. Unfortunately, many women are left without the knowledge to defend themselves,” she added.

Khan emphasized that the challenge goes beyond technology. “This is not just a tech issue—it’s a mental health issue, a public health issue, and a human rights issue. Ethical AI is not optional; it is mandatory,” she said. She further defined ethical AI as encompassing safety by design, privacy by default, clear accountability, meaningful consent, and robust reporting mechanisms.

Andrea Wojnar of UNFPA, who also spoke at the session, stressed that AI systems often lack accountability and are biased. “AI is unequal and biased,” she said, adding that it reshapes both risks and opportunities. “AI will influence safety, but trust is also an economic factor. When women and girls feel unsafe online, participation drops, limiting the potential of the digital economy,” Wojnar explained. She added that when users don’t trust AI-enabled services, adoption slows and reputational risks increase, preventing the digital economy from reaching its full potential.

The India AI Impact Summit is being held from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and technology experts. The summit marks one of the first major AI events hosted in the Global South. Top figures expected include Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Dario Amodei of Anthropic, and researchers Yann LeCun and Arthur Mensch. Indian business leaders such as Mukesh Ambani, N Chandrasekaran, Salil Parekh, Nikesh Arora, and Shantanu Narayen are also slated to attend.