Mozilla representatives are traveling to New Delhi, India, for the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Their core message emphasizes open source as the crucial route to achieving both economic and digital sovereignty. Throughout the week-long global event, Mozilla leaders intend to demonstrate that an alternative future for AI is attainable, stressing the urgent need for worldwide collaboration to establish an AI ecosystem rooted in the public interest.
Mark Surman, president of Mozilla, stated that AI stands at a critical juncture. He suggested that nations face a choice: either continue relying on a limited number of large global corporations or reclaim control. Surman advised that countries should depart from the summit prepared to significantly invest in open source AI, viewing it as a transformative solution to enhance national resilience and reduce costs for their internal stakeholders.
During the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Mozilla is organizing three official events designed to highlight its efforts in fostering a more decentralized AI ecosystem. These events feature discussions on the current state of competition within AI, the practical application of open source AI for digital sovereignty, and the introduction of a new program for Bollywood artists and filmmakers to explore creativity in the AI era. Additionally, a community gathering for open source AI developers and founders is planned.
At the Summit, concerns regarding the increasing consolidation within the AI sector will be addressed. A limited number of major global corporations are effectively providing AI access to the rest of the world on a rental basis. With advanced AI systems developed and managed on proprietary platforms, users often lack transparency into their operations and possess minimal influence over their design or governance. This concentrated control allows a few companies to dictate access to sophisticated AI, including terms and costs, which has significant implications for innovation, public organizations, and digital sovereignty.
This increasing concentration of AI control is seen as a threat to innovation, fair competition, and public accountability. To address this, investments are being made in individuals, products, and organizations dedicated to creating a more open and human-centric AI ecosystem. Open source AI plays a crucial role in this endeavor, offering tangible infrastructure that enables systems to be examined, enhanced locally, and managed with public interest in mind.
In collaboration with G5A, the Mozilla Foundation is set to introduce “The Origin of Thought” at the Summit. This new initiative aims to investigate the convergence of culture and AI. The program will bring together Bollywood artists, filmmakers, technologists, and cultural experts to foster a comprehensive understanding of AI’s influence on human lives, recognizing it not merely as a tool but as a potential cultural phenomenon. The inaugural session, hosted at The Oddbird Theatre in New Delhi, will feature filmmakers Nikkhil Advani and Shakun Batra.
Nabiha Syed, executive director of Mozilla Foundation, remarked that creativity has historically been humanity’s method for comprehending change, often preceding policy and product developments. She emphasized the need for platforms that allow for deliberate discussion as AI transforms cultural creation, sharing, and preservation, prompting reflection on what aspects require protection and why. Syed explained that “The Origin of Thought” unites artists, technologists, and decision-makers to consider the human implications of this era, moving beyond mere efficiency and novelty. This effort underscores the conviction that imagination serves as an essential safeguard, not a dispensable luxury. By prioritizing creative perspectives, it becomes possible to develop technologies that enhance opportunity, dignity, and livelihoods.
Mozilla’s involvement in the India AI Impact Summit 2026 will underscore its dedication to fostering an AI future that is transparent, responsible, and influenced by the societies it is designed to benefit. The organization aims to ensure that open source AI continues to be a fundamental component of global AI governance and innovation.
Raffi Krikorian, CTO of Mozilla, asserted that technology should conform to human needs, rather than the reverse. He noted that across its various initiatives, Mozilla is striving to decentralize the future of AI. This includes developing new tools for developers, providing support to creators, and nurturing every aspect of the open source AI ecosystem. Krikorian highlighted India’s vibrant community of founders, startups, and developers, recognizing their direct understanding that open source AI represents the next frontier of innovation.
