India AI Impact Summit 2026: AI could close global economic divide or exacerbate it, warns Microsoft President Brad Smith

At the India AI Impact Summit, Brad Smith, President and Vice Chair of Microsoft, shared his compelling vision for leveraging technology to bridge economic divides rather than deepen them. He emphasized that the most significant and persistent disparity can be traced back to economic gaps between the global North and South, which he believes are exacerbated by a corresponding 'technology divide.' Smith articulated a crucial warning: Artificial Intelligence (AI) could either narrow this economic gap or widen it drastically, depending on how it is deployed. He urged for collaborative efforts to enhance vital infrastructure, including data centers and connectivity, particularly in the global South. Microsoft is committed to this mission, with plans to invest a staggering $50 billion by the decade's end, positioning India as a key focal point for these investments. Beyond infrastructure, Smith called attention to the importance of workforce training. He asserted that fostering skills among the population is essential for maximizing technology's potential. "It’s not just for the next generation. It’s for every generation that this truly matters," he remarked, underscoring the responsibility of employers to invest in their workforce. Additionally, he highlighted the necessity for AI to support linguistic diversity, asserting that it should be as efficient in multiple languages as it is in English. In closing, Smith reminded attendees to focus on the human aspect of technology, emphasizing that the true objective is to enhance what people can achieve with the help of technology.