Global leaders at the recently concluded AI Impact Summit here made a compelling case that speeding up the rollout of artificial intelligence to everyday users is essential for its advantages to reach everyone, not just a privileged few. Held over five days despite some logistical hiccups like administrative delays, the event spotlighted AI's transformative potential when made widely accessible. Experts drew parallels to India's UPI revolution, where quick adoption via apps like BHIM empowered millions in payments overnight.

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani highlighted real-world wins, such as AI aiding farmers with crop predictions, workers with job matching, students via personalized learning, and patients through early diagnostics—all powered by secure, India-centric models that prioritize data sovereignty.

In a major outcome, representatives from 89 countries backed calls for affordable AI access, echoing India's push for "AI for public good." This aligns with trends seen in leaders like the UAE and Singapore, where heavy investments in infrastructure have spurred economic gains without exclusion. Nilekani positioned India as a frontrunner, leveraging its talent pool and focus on sectors like agriculture and healthcare. Examples include regional-language chatbots for rural farmers and low-cost LLMs for remote clinics—tools already scaling but needing faster diffusion to maximize impact.

Challenges persist, from rural connectivity gaps to skill shortages, much like the summit's own minor organizational snags. Still, the declaration emphasizes open policies, local innovation, and global partnerships to overcome them. As AI evolves rapidly, the summit underscores that equitable diffusion is key to ensuring benefits flow to street vendors and small businesses alike, not just tech giants.