India has shown AI need not increase the divide between haves, have-notes: IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva

According to Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to widen the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged. However, she emphasized that India serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that this need not be the case. In an engaging discussion with India Today, Georgieva reflected on the significance of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which has united global leaders and brought together developing nations to engage with those already advancing in AI technology. Georgieva praised India's remarkable efforts in AI, stating that the nation is committed to democratizing this transformative technology. "What India is doing in AI is phenomenal because the goal of India is to democratise AI," she remarked. She cautioned, however, that the rapid evolution of AI poses challenges. "The greatest risk is that AI could exacerbate the divide between the haves and the have-nots," she noted. Yet, she expressed optimism, stating that it is indeed feasible to harness AI for the benefit of society as a whole. India is poised to lead initiatives that enable the Global South to reap the advantages of AI. Georgieva's insights included two crucial points: first, AI is already reshaping our lives and work at an unprecedented pace, and we must proactively engage with this change to avoid falling behind. Second, while AI offers immense opportunities for productivity and growth, it also comes with risks that must be managed, particularly concerning workforce displacement. She highlighted the IMF's role in assisting member countries to seize these opportunities while navigating the associated challenges.