Global South stakeholders identify key frictions and solutions for AI scaling

In a pivotal gathering in New Delhi, stakeholders from the Global South convened to explore the trajectory of Artificial Intelligence and its societal ramifications during the Carnegie Global Technology Summit Innovation Dialogue 2025. Representatives from Africa and India shared insights into common challenges and distinct opportunities, emphasizing the pressing need for inclusive and scalable AI ecosystems. Shikoh Gitau, CEO of Qhala, highlighted the burgeoning momentum of South-South collaboration, pointing out that the Global South, which comprises 80% of the world’s population, possesses untapped collective power. "We have a bargaining chip from our data sets, our population, and our rare minerals. There's much to contribute to the AI economy," Gitau stated. She expressed optimism about the shared experiences between African and Asian nations, believing that these insights could expedite advancements in both regions. Calling India a "big brother" in AI talent, Gitau referenced data from talentindex.ai, illustrating how Indian expertise fuels innovation hubs from Silicon Valley to Europe. Furthermore, she noted that Africa's experience with digital transformation and legal reforms could significantly aid global AI development. Shelly Sethi, founder of Mahila Prashikshan Sansthan, emphasized the necessity of enhancing AI literacy among women and youth. She argued that India’s next phase of growth hinges on democratizing access to emerging technologies. "Understanding and engaging with new technology is crucial," she remarked, advocating for wider implementation of AI tools to empower communities. Dvara Mungra, Co-Founder of SimPPL, discussed how AI could address information deficits contributing to high maternal mortality rates in India. She explained that delays in accessing reliable medical information pose significant risks for pregnant women. "SimPPL is tackling this with Sakhi, an AI-driven tool that provides medically verified information in local languages via WhatsApp," Mungra noted, underscoring the potential of AI in maternal health and broader healthcare contexts. Shalini Kapoor, Chief Strategist at EkStep Foundation, characterized India as a unique testing ground for large-scale AI applications. Quoting Nandan Nilekani, she suggested that India could serve as a model for AI adoption worldwide, where scalable systems can be replicated globally. She pointed out that real impact hinges on developing concrete use cases in vital sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare. Kapoor also praised India’s initiatives to democratize AI development, highlighting the IndiaAI Mission’s efforts to make GPUs accessible to startups and AI4Bharat's open models for 22 Indian languages drawn from the nation’s rich cultural heritage. "AI is for all. No one should be left behind," she firmly stated, asserting that India's strategies could set a precedent for the Global South. This significant dialogue was hosted by Carnegie India on December 11, serving as a precursor to the upcoming AI Impact Summit 2026, set to take place in New Delhi from February 15 to 20, 2026.