Italy’s Ambassador to India, Antonio Bartoli, praised India’s rapid progress in artificial intelligence (AI) and said the country is “well placed to become a global power in AI,” highlighting the strategic strength of its technology market and innovation ecosystem. Speaking on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Bartoli noted that India’s scale and ambition in emerging technologies make it a significant player on the world stage. His comments reflect growing international recognition of India’s potential to shape the future of AI and participate as a key global contributor.
Bartoli said that India’s rise in AI presents valuable opportunities for closer cooperation between Europe — including Italy — and India, rooted in shared interests and complementary strengths. He pointed out that enhanced digital partnerships could accelerate technology development and create mutual benefits, particularly in areas where both regions prioritise innovation and economic growth. This sentiment underscores a trend toward stronger international tech alliances as AI becomes a central factor in global competitiveness.
A central theme of Bartoli’s remarks was the importance of a human-centric and ethical approach to AI development. He said both Italy and India share a commitment to ensuring that AI technologies are designed and deployed with people’s welfare at the centre, rather than focusing solely on commercial returns. This alignment in values could help foster collaborative projects that emphasise responsible and inclusive use of AI, balancing innovation with societal well-being.
His remarks also came in the context of the India AI Impact Summit — the first major global AI summit hosted in the Global South — which brought together experts, policymakers, and innovators from around the world to discuss governance, ethics, and equitable deployment of AI. The event reinforces India’s ambition not just to use AI domestically, but to participate in shaping its global trajectory in partnership with other nations.
