OpenAI's Sam Altman Declares Democratisation of AI the Only Fair and Safe Future
Sam Altman calls democratisation of AI the only fair, safe way to ensure humanity flourishes.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman declared that the democratisation of artificial intelligence is the "only fair and safe path forward" during his address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on Thursday. Speaking at Bharat Mandapam, Altman emphasized that spreading access to AI technology ensures humanity flourishes, while centralisation in one company or country could lead to ruin. He outlined this as a core principle guiding OpenAI's approach, alongside the need for urgent global regulation similar to frameworks for other powerful technologies.
Altman praised India's remarkable progress in AI adoption, describing the country as one of OpenAI's fastest-growing markets globally and possibly the fastest overall. He highlighted that more than 100 million people in India use ChatGPT weekly, spanning students, educators, developers, and entrepreneurs. Altman noted the "extraordinary growth" in AI usage and India's leadership in putting the technology to work broadly and inclusively, positioning the nation as well-suited to shape AI's future in a democratic manner.
The OpenAI leader stressed India's unique potential as the world's largest democracy to not only build AI but to lead in defining its governance and direction. He expressed confidence in India's ability to drive innovation while maintaining values of liberty, widespread flourishing, and increased human agency. Altman warned against compromising freedoms for short-term gains, such as trading individual rights for solutions like curing diseases, and advocated for resilient, equitable systems that empower people rather than concentrate power.
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His remarks aligned with broader summit themes of inclusive AI development, echoing calls from other leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron for democratisation, ethical governance, and global cooperation. Altman also referenced ongoing partnerships, including collaborations with Indian entities like the Tata Group and TCS, aimed at building local AI infrastructure, skills, and support for regional languages to further democratise access.
The speech underscored the strategic importance of the Global South in AI's evolution, with Altman predicting that benefits could be even larger here due to scale and societal needs. As the summit continues through February 20, discussions focus on balancing rapid advancement with safety, equity, and human-centric progress.
Overall, Altman's address reinforced India's rising influence in the global AI landscape, portraying democratisation not just as an ideal but as a practical necessity for a secure and prosperous future in the technology era.
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