New Delhi, Feb. 17 -- "In short, the rise of powerful AI will be either the best, or the worst thing, ever to happen to humanity." - Stephen Hawking

Artificial Intelligence could transform civilisation for the better or pose unprecedented risks if left unchecked, the late physicist Stephen Hawking had warned, cautioning that advanced systems might enable powerful autonomous weapons or new tools of oppression.

That dual vision of promise and peril framed discussions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where policymakers, industry leaders and researchers stressed the need to balance rapid innovation with responsible governance.

Speaking at the summit, Minister of State for Telecom Chandrasekhar Pemmasani said India's 21st century transfo...