Global Leaders Call for Rights-Based AI Governance in Digital Public Infrastructure

H.E. Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia, praised India’s leadership in advancing digital public infrastructure and shaping global conversations around technology, governance and inclusion.

On the third day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, global leaders and experts gathered for a high-level session titled “Governing Safe and Responsible AI within Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)”, emphasising that trust, accountability and human rights must anchor the integration of artificial intelligence into public systems.

As digital public infrastructure increasingly powers service delivery across health, education, social protection and public administration, the session underscored that AI systems embedded within these frameworks influence decisions, resource allocation and rights at population scale. In such contexts, governance safeguards were framed as foundational principles — not technical afterthoughts.

DPI as the Backbone of Modern States

H.E. Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia, praised India’s leadership in advancing digital public infrastructure and shaping global conversations around technology, governance and inclusion.

“Digital public infrastructure is no longer just a technical backbone for service delivery; it is a foundation of how modern states operate,” he said.

“When AI is embedded into these systems, algorithmic transparency and human oversight are not optional additions; they are essential conditions for public trust and legitimacy.”

Accountability Cannot Be Outsourced

H.E. Bernard Maissen, State Secretary and Head of the Federal Office for Communications, Switzerland, stressed that international cooperation and capacity building are vital to ensure AI strengthens governance rather than undermines it.

“Public authorities remain responsible for decisions taken or supported by AI, even when systems are developed or operated by private actors. Without accountability, trust cannot be sustained,” he said.

He added that digital public infrastructure must reflect the highest standards of human rights, inclusivity, transparency and institutional responsibility.

Safeguards by Design

H.E. Taurimas Valys, Vice Minister of Lithuania, emphasised that responsible AI begins with strong public sector foundations and built-in safeguards.

“AI in digital public infrastructure must never become a tool for surveillance or discrimination; technology must serve people, not the other way around, and inclusion must be built into systems by design,” he stated.

Democratic Legitimacy at the Core

H.E. Harry Verweij, Ambassador-at-Large for Artificial Intelligence at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, framed AI governance within DPI as central to democratic legitimacy.

“Human rights, transparency, accountability and inclusion are not optional add-ons; they are foundational design principles, and efficiency can never come at the cost of dignity and fairness,” he said.

Practical Governance Mechanisms Discussed

Following the addresses by heads of delegation, a panel discussion examined operational frameworks and lifecycle accountability mechanisms for AI systems within public infrastructure.

Panelists included:

• Prateek Waghre, Tech Global Institute

• Juan Carlos Lara, Derechos Digitales

• Alexandria Walden, Global Head of Human Rights, Google

• Norman Schulz, Federal Foreign Office, Germany

The discussion focused on:

• Algorithmic transparency standards

• Impact assessments prior to deployment

• Grievance redressal mechanisms

• Participatory and human-centred design processes

• Early-stage institutional accountability

Speakers noted that governance failures often originate during policy design and procurement phases, long before systems are deployed — making preventive accountability essential.

Shared Standards for a Global AI Future

Drawing from experiences in Europe and the Global South, participants concluded that inclusive global forums and interoperable standards are crucial to ensure AI embedded in digital public infrastructure strengthens democratic accountability and delivers tangible public value.

As nations accelerate AI integration into governance systems, the session reinforced a central message: technological capability must evolve in tandem with responsible governance frameworks that prioritise people, rights and trust.