Film Fraternity Looking Forward to AI Summit, Says Prasoon Joshi

Veteran lyricist and Central Board of Film Certification Chairperson Prasoon Joshi shared his views on the evolving role of artificial intelligence and India’s future at the AI Impact Summit 2026, which began in New Delhi on Monday.

Speaking to ANI, Joshi praised the initiative and leadership behind the summit, saying, "AI is a great initiative. Everybody involved with it, especially PM Modi, who is far-sighted about it, and also Ashwini Vaishnaw...I believe the entire film fraternity and other industries are looking forward to the AI Summit because it is unprecedented."

He further addressed concerns over the negative perception of AI and its implications for employment, stating, "Like other corporate businesses, entertainment industry, primarily indian film industry, is very huge and provides employment to tens of thousands of people. People have to learn new skills to remain relevant," and noted that the government has been putting significant efforts into positioning India as an advanced AI-driven nation.

How Will the AI Impact Summit Strengthen India-Estonia Cooperation in Digital Governance and AI?

Estonian President Alar Karis arrived in the national capital on Tuesday to participate in the summit aimed at strengthening global cooperation in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

He was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse along with senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs.

The visit is expected to deepen bilateral cooperation between India and Estonia in areas such as digital governance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and innovation.

According to the MEA brief, India recognised the Republic of Estonia in September 1991, shortly after it declared independence from the Soviet Union, and diplomatic relations were established in December 1991, with ties remaining cordial and friendly.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several global leaders are set to attend the summit, including the Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay, Vice President of Bolivia Edmundo Lara Montano, President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic, Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Vice President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov.

Other participants include Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, Prime Minister of Mauritius Navin Ramgoolam, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini, President of Spain Pedro Sanchez, President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Disanayaka, Vice President of Seychelles Sebastien Pillay, President of Switzerland Guy Parmelin, Prime Minister of Netherlands Dick Schoof and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Why does Marine Collins Ragnet see India as a key bridge in global AI development?

Marine Collins Ragnet, AI Lead and Senior Researcher at New York University's Peace Research and Education Program, underscored India’s strategic position in global AI development.

She said, "It's incredible. I was saying it on the panel. think it's incredible that this is the first panel that's hosted in the global south. But I also think it's incredible to see the approach that India has taken to become kind of sovereign in its AI development, whether that's through the India stack, through the indigenous data sets that they're going to be launching this week. I think India really sits at a very interesting position because it's kind of a broker between the global south and the global north, and it's definitely has a lot to do with setting the example in that regard."

The AI Impact Summit, being held in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, is the first international AI summit hosted in the Global South and showcases India’s ambition to shape an inclusive, responsible and impactful AI future, with a core focus on sovereign AI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to deliver the inaugural address on February 19, setting the stage for strengthened global collaboration and advancing India’s vision for inclusive, trusted and development-oriented artificial intelligence.

(With inputs from ANI)