AI pioneer LeCun endorses India's AI leadership role, says 'Modi has India moving in right direction'

(Image courtesy: x.com/steve_hank)

• India hosts the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi this week
• AI expert Yann LeCun supports India's collaborative AI strategy
• PM Modi welcomes over 20 world leaders to the AI Impact Summit

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Steve Hanke, Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University, highlighted India's growing influence in artificial intelligence this week as the country hosts the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

"This week, at the AI Impact Summit, India will push its 'Global AI Commons' initiative," Hanke tweeted.

He noted that Yann LeCun, Professor at NYU and Executive Chairman at AMI Labs, who formerly served as Chief AI Scientist at Meta, has thrown his weight behind India's approach to artificial intelligence development.

"None other than AI pioneer @ylecun supports open, collaborative AI and says, 'India has an important role to play. MODI HAS INDIA MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION,'" Hanke added.

The endorsement comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed world leaders for the AI Impact Summit at the Bharat Mandapam convention centre on Wednesday.

Among the dignitaries greeted by the prime minister were UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva, Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. The leaders were welcomed to an ensemble of traditional musical instruments, including drums, nadaswaram and tanpura, with Modi greeting them with warm handshakes and exchange of pleasantries.

Other world leaders welcomed at the brightly decorated venue included Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Estonia President Alar Karis, and Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Guyana Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo were also among the leaders greeted by the prime minister.

Running from February 16-20, the AI Impact Summit has brought together more than 500 global AI leaders, 150 academicians and researchers, and 400 chief technology officers, vice-presidents, and philanthropists.

The Summit is engaging more than 100 government representatives, including over 20 heads of state and government, and around 60 ministers and vice-ministers.

This week, at the AI Impact Summit, India will push its "Global AI Commons” initiative. None other than AI pioneer @ylecun supports open, collaborative AI and says, "India has an important role to play." MODI HAS INDIA MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. pic.twitter.com/msIQrYup96

— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) February 17, 2026