Director Michael Kratsios
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Remarks at the India AI Impact Summit 2026
Good morning to all present. It’s a privilege to address such an esteemed gathering of heads of state, public servants, and industry leaders at India’s AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, representing the United States of America.
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Last year in Paris, Vice President J.D. Vance redirected the AI dialogue from a focus on safety to seizing opportunities. He emphasized that the future is not something we passively await; it’s something we actively construct. The challenges and solutions presented by AI are invitations for us to make audacious decisions that can enhance the lives of our constituents.
Today, I urge you all to partner with us in shaping the AI landscape for your nations and peoples.
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The United States stands as the cradle of AI innovation, home to pioneering companies that have propelled us into this critical era. This is not mere coincidence. Upon returning to the White House last year, President Trump reaffirmed America’s commitment to leading in AI by dismantling the previous administration’s restrictive export framework, which unfairly categorized partner nations like India. The Trump Administration later unveiled America’s AI Action Plan, a roadmap for dominating the AI race, anchored in three pillars: Innovation, Infrastructure, and International Collaborations.
Today, the vibrancy of the U.S. AI sector is unmistakable. The market valuations of our leading AI and semiconductor firms surpass the total worth of the entire FTSE 100 index. Our four largest AI companies are on track to invest nearly $700 billion in AI infrastructure this year—three times the cost of sending Americans to the Moon. Notably, out of the billion users engaging with America’s premier AI platforms, over 75% connect from nations outside the U.S., including yours.
Benchmark studies reveal that American AI services outperform global competitors in terms of capability and cost-effectiveness across nearly all applications, also providing superior security and robustness. Our chips are undeniably more advanced and reliable than alternatives, sought after by nations across the globe. When other nations claim breakthroughs, U.S. companies can often identify the hallmarks of American ingenuity.
Simply put, the gold standard in AI is crafted in America.
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The international discourse surrounding AI has matured, as evidenced by the evolution of this summit. We’ve transitioned from mere discussions about AI safety to advocating for AI action, and now, critically, to evaluating AI’s impact.
This shift is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. However, it remains questionable whether these optimistic changes in terminology truly reflect a fundamental transformation. Many international platforms, like the U.N.’s Global Dialogue on AI Governance, still foster a climate of apprehension.
We must replace this fear with hope. We cannot let AI, akin to the long-dreaded nuclear power, become an unrealized promise of prosperity. Risk-centric ideologies, such as those surrounding climate change or equity, often serve as pretexts for bureaucratic control, which can inadvertently lead to oppressive governance under the guise of safety.
I firmly believe that by embracing AI and wielding its potential responsibly, we can foster human flourishing and unprecedented economic growth. However, allowing AI policy to be overly concerned with safety and hypothetical risks—rather than tangible opportunities—stifles a competitive atmosphere, entrenches established players, and alienates developing nations from fully engaging in the AI economy.
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The critical hurdle to unleashing AI’s transformative power lies in its adoption. While I will delve into global AI adoption trends shortly, two main obstacles persist in the American context.
The first challenge is trust. For the public to embrace AI, we must establish regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks that safeguard public interests. The Trump Administration aims to support legislators in crafting a national policy framework that prioritizes child protection, prevents censorship, respects intellectual property, and ensures the safety of our communities.
The second major impediment to AI adoption in the U.S. is the need for regulatory certainty and clarity. We contend that thoughtful updates to existing regulations to reflect technological advancements, along with use-case and sector-specific regulations, are essential for promoting adoption. This approach will provide industries with confidence that future regulations will evolve logically from current ones, enabling them to focus on innovative deployment.
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AI governance must be tailored to the specific needs and interests of local populations, necessitating a localized approach.
The Trump Administration has stated repeatedly: We outright reject any form of global governance concerning AI. We believe that true progress in AI cannot be achieved if it is subjected to the whims of bureaucratic centralization.
Prioritizing AI for your people does not equate to participating in international initiatives that are merely symbolic or compromise your national autonomy.
It does not mean creating regulations that sacrifice your country’s potential for innovation for the sake of technocratic satisfaction.
It does not entail isolating yourselves, attempting to build an entire AI infrastructure from scratch while watching others forge ahead.
Instead, prioritizing AI for your people means actively pursuing a sovereign AI capacity now. This begins with swiftly adopting the best available technology while your domestic champions work towards developing their own solutions.
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True AI sovereignty involves leveraging top-tier technology for the benefit of your populace, charting your national course amid global transformations. It does not require waiting to engage in an AI-powered global economy until you have achieved complete self-sufficiency.
Complete technological isolation is impractical for any nation, given the intricate nature of the AI ecosystem. However, achieving strategic autonomy alongside rapid AI adoption is both feasible and essential for independent nations. The United States stands ready to assist.
We believe that fostering independent partnerships is vital to unlocking the prosperity that AI adoption can provide for all of us. This conviction is the impetus behind the launch of the American AI Export Program and my presence here with you today.
The U.S. leading the way in AI means succeeding on merit. We believe American companies and technologies can thrive in open competition, and we aspire to cultivate an AI ecosystem that collaborates with your local technologies, datasets, and languages, rather than imposing universal standards or forcing vendor-lock.
The United States is the sole AI superpower willing and able to genuinely empower partner nations in their quest for meaningful AI sovereignty. American companies are equipped to construct extensive, independent AI infrastructures, complemented by secure supply chains that mitigate risks. They build it; you make it yours.
American AI firms and open-source models can facilitate local training and fine-tuning with cultural and linguistic adaptation, devoid of embedded political biases. Furthermore, cryptographically secured confidentiality, paired with leading American security measures, can help you safeguard sensitive data within your borders and maintain control.
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The Trump Administration is deeply committed to sharing the advantages of American AI. We have meticulously considered how to foster a future of collaborative prosperity and peaceful competition.
For the full potential of this technology to be realized, we must cultivate an open, cooperative AI ecosystem built on localized, sovereign infrastructure. However, while global AI tool usage continues to rise, the speed of adoption and sophistication of deployment remains uneven. Developing nations are at risk of trailing behind their developed counterparts at a crucial juncture.
Developed nations grapple with adoption challenges similar to those facing the U.S., primarily concerned with how their homegrown technology firms will fit into a competitive global AI landscape. However, developing countries encounter two additional barriers to AI adoption.
The first barrier is financing. The AI stack requires substantial investment. Its infrastructure demands significant energy and materials, pulling the digital transformation into the realm of physical reality. Data centers, semiconductors, and energy production all necessitate extensive resources and labor. The second hurdle is the lack of technical expertise necessary for deploying AI tools effectively.
To aid in the worldwide adoption of trustworthy AI systems, advance a competitive and interoperable AI ecosystem, and support the American AI Exports Program in both developed and developing partner nations, I am excited to announce a comprehensive suite of U.S. government support initiatives.
We have launched the National Champions Initiative to integrate partner nation companies with the American AI stack, ensuring that no nation has to choose between completing the stack and developing its domestic AI capabilities. We recognize the necessity for partners to build their native technology industries, which we believe is crucial for the success of the exports program.
To facilitate the establishment of industry-led, open, and secure AI agent standards and to instill public confidence in this next-generation technology, we are initiating the AI Agent Standards Initiative.
To empower developing partner nations in overcoming financing challenges while importing the American AI stack, a coalition of U.S. entities—including the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and a new World Bank Fund—has launched new AI-focused initiatives.
Moreover, to enhance AI adoption in developing regions, the Trump Administration is modernizing America’s historic Peace Corps, alongside the unveiling of the Tech Corps initiative. This new program will embed volunteer technical experts with partner nations to provide essential support in deploying impactful AI applications across various sectors, including energy, education, manufacturing, medicine, transportation, and agriculture. I am confident that the American AI stack can unlock substantial economic and social benefits for your people.
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The United States hopes that the quest for authentic AI sovereignty—characterized by the adoption of sovereign infrastructure, data, models, and policies within your borders—will foster bilateral diplomacy, international development, and global economic vitality.
The American AI Exports Program is designed to facilitate this vision.
We are eager to share the American AI stack because this technology holds the promise of leading—much like our nation’s Founders did 250 years ago—a revolutionary shift in human history for the benefit of all. When wielded effectively, these tools will reveal new insights into our world and open up new avenues of prosperity, challenging us to elevate the strength of our humanity alongside our expanding capabilities.
American AI is venturing into uncharted territory, but we do not seek to navigate this new future alone. I invite each of you to join us.
Thank you.
