On February 21, Washington (NationPress) firmly dismissed the notion of global governance over artificial intelligence and advocated for nations to embrace a sovereign AI framework that is based on American technological standards during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

Leading the US delegation, Michael Kratsios, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, conveyed a clear message regarding AI policy and national sovereignty.

“As the Trump Administration has reiterated: We categorically oppose global governance of AI. We believe that the advancement of AI cannot promise a brighter future if it is subjected to bureaucratic red tape and centralized authority,” he stated.

Kratsios argued for the necessity of local governance in AI that aligns with national priorities. “AI governance should cater to the unique requirements and interests of specific populations; thus, it must be localized,” he emphasized.

The US stance was framed around the concept of what Washington refers to as “real AI sovereignty.”

“Real AI sovereignty signifies the ownership and utilization of top-tier technology for the welfare of your citizens, and it involves steering your national trajectory amidst global shifts,” Kratsios explained.

He warned against the idea of complete technological self-sufficiency. “Total technological self-containment is impractical for any nation because the AI framework is exceedingly intricate,” he noted. “However, achieving strategic autonomy while rapidly adopting AI is essential for independent nations. America is eager to assist.”

Kratsios encouraged countries to collaborate with Washington through the American AI Exports Program. “We believe that independent partnerships are vital to unlocking the prosperity that AI adoption can offer. This is why the president initiated the American AI Export Program,” he asserted.

During the summit, he unveiled several initiatives designed to expedite the global acceptance of US AI technologies.

These initiatives comprise a National Champions Initiative aimed at integrating leading AI firms from partner nations into tailored American AI export frameworks. The Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology will establish interoperable and secure standards through a new AI Agent Standards Initiative.

To tackle financial obstacles, he mentioned that the US International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, the US Trade and Development Agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and “a new World Bank Fund have all launched new AI-centric programs.”

Kratsios also introduced the Tech Corps, which will place volunteer technical experts in partner nations to assist with the deployment of AI technologies in public services.

He cautioned that the gap in adoption is widening. “Developing nations are lagging behind developed countries during a critical turning point,” he remarked, citing financial limitations and gaps in technical capabilities as significant hurdles.

Emphasizing US technological supremacy, Kratsios proclaimed: “The benchmark for AI is set in America.”

The India AI Impact Summit has emerged as a vital platform for discussions on global AI policy, attracting political leaders, technology executives, and policymakers. India is striving to navigate rapid digital growth alongside discussions about regulation, safety, and equitable access to emerging technologies.