“AI should not be confined to a limited group of users or economies”

Anurag Srivastava, High Commissioner of India to Mauritius

Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping economic and policy decisions worldwide. The High Commission of India in Mauritius, in association with the Indian Business Council (IBC) and the University of Mauritius, hosted a side event ahead of the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Discussions focused on issues of ethics and societal inclusivity.

Klyven T. Veeramundar

Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from experimentation to decision-making power, and questions of who benefits, who governs, and who is left behind are becoming central to global policy debates. During a side event in Mauritius ahead of the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi later this year, the High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, Anurag Srivastava, issued a clear reminder that the technology’s promise must extend beyond a narrow circle of users or economies. He stressed that trust, ethical safeguards and inclusive governance will be decisive in determining whether AI becomes a force for shared progress or deepened inequality.

Focus on ethical and inclusive AI

The event, which took place on 21 January 2026, at the Paul Octave Wiehe Auditorium in Reduit, was hosted by the High Commission of India in Mauritius, in association with the Indian Business Council (IBC) and the University of Mauritius. Discussions were structured around the theme “AI for All: Ethical, Inclusive & Human-Centric – AI for Societal Impact.” Participants examined how artificial intelligence can be developed and deployed responsibly, with an emphasis on accessibility, fairness and alignment with public interest.

 

“Trust is critical to the long-term adoption of AI”

 

The High Commissioner of India to Mauritius highlighted the importance of ensuring that AI adoption benefits society at large. “AI should not be confined to a limited group of users or economies. Its value lies in its capacity to address real societal needs,” he said. He added that ethical considerations must remain central as AI applications expand across both the public and private sectors.

Sectoral applications and societal impact

Anurag Srivastava explored the potential role of AI in healthcare, education, agriculture and climate resilience, focusing on how data-driven tools can improve service delivery, productivity and sustainability.

He also addressed the importance of trust, transparency and accountability in AI systems, particularly as governments and institutions increase their reliance on automated and algorithmic tools. “Trust is critical to the long-term adoption of AI,” he noted, referring to the role of governance frameworks and regulatory oversight.

Readiness and governance considerations

Another key focus of the event was AI readiness, including digital infrastructure, skills development, regulatory frameworks and institutional capacity. Participants discussed how policy approaches can support innovation while safeguarding data privacy and preventing misuse.

“AI policy cannot be developed in isolation. It requires collaboration between governments, academia, industry and civil society”

Mr. Srivastava highlighted that effective AI governance requires coordination across multiple stakeholders. “AI policy cannot be developed in isolation. It requires collaboration between governments, academia, industry and civil society,” he explained. 

India–Mauritius cooperation 

India’s experience in developing and deploying digital public infrastructure was referenced as a potential point of learning for Mauritius as it continues to advance its digital and AI strategies.

The High Commissioner also highlighted the broader cooperation between India and Mauritius, with discussions touching on opportunities for collaboration in research, education, innovation ecosystems and policy dialogue related to artificial intelligence.

He also noted the potential for Mauritius to engage more actively in regional and international AI discussions, particularly in the context of responsible and inclusive technology adoption.