What Happened
- OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann spoke at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 (New Delhi, February 16–20), emphasising that AI requires a strong, flexible, and targeted policy framework to maximise benefits while mitigating risks.
- Cormann stated that the foundational technologies driving the AI revolution — internet connectivity, semiconductor supply chains, digital infrastructure — were themselves shaped by deliberate public policy, underscoring that AI's trajectory will similarly depend on government choices.
- He highlighted that 27% of jobs globally are at high risk of automation due to AI and called for flexible, targeted adult retraining and upskilling programmes to ensure workforce participation in the AI economy.
- The OECD participated in the Summit's GPAI (Global Partnership on AI) Council Meeting at the Ministerial Level, promoting human-centric, safe, and trustworthy AI aligned with the OECD Recommendation on AI (first adopted 2019, updated 2024).
- Cormann also noted that AI-driven productivity gains risk concentrating benefits at the top unless redistributive policy mechanisms are put in place.
What Happened
- OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann addressed the India AI Impact Summit 2026 (New Delhi, February 16–20), stressing that a strong policy framework is non-negotiable for responsible AI deployment.
- He argued that foundational technologies enabling AI — including internet infrastructure and semiconductors — were shaped by public policy choices, and that the same deliberate approach is needed for AI governance.
- Cormann flagged that 27% of jobs globally face high automation risk from AI, making targeted adult skill training essential.
- The OECD presented its AI governance toolkit and participated in the GPAI Ministerial Council Meeting hosted as part of the Summit.
- He warned that without guardrails, AI risks worsening global inequality by concentrating productivity gains among capital owners and highly skilled workers.
Static Topic Bridges
OECD AI Principles and Global AI Governance Architecture
The OECD Recommendation on Artificial Intelligence (OECD AI Principles), adopted in May 2019, was the first intergovernmental standard on AI. It identifies five complementary values-based principles for trustworthy AI: (1) inclusive growth, sustainable development and well-being; (2) human-centred values and fairness; (3) transparency and explainability; (4) robustness, security and safety; and (5) accountability. The Principles also include five recommendations for governments on AI policy and cooperation. The OECD AI Principles were updated in May 2024 to reflect new technological and policy developments. The Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), co-founded by Canada and France in 2020 and later merged with OECD's AI work, operationalises these principles through working groups on responsible AI, data governance, future of work, and AI innovation.
- OECD AI Principles: adopted May 2019 — first intergovernmental AI standard; updated May 2024.
- Five core values: inclusive growth, human-centred values, transparency, robustness/safety, accountability.
- GPAI: Global Partnership on AI; launched 2020; merged into OECD framework; India is a founding member.
- GPAI functions: convenes multi-stakeholder expert groups; works on responsible AI, data, future of work.
- India hosted the GPAI Summit in New Delhi in December 2023 during its GPAI Presidency.
- 47+ countries adhere to the OECD AI Principles (including non-OECD members like India).
Connection to this news: Cormann's call for a strong policy backbone at the India AI Impact Summit directly echoes the OECD AI Principles — the Summit served as a venue for reinforcing and expanding adherence to this global governance framework.
AI's Impact on Labour Markets and the Skills Imperative
AI, particularly generative AI, is transforming labour markets by automating cognitive tasks previously exclusive to knowledge workers. The IMF estimates that about 60% of jobs in advanced economies and 40% in emerging markets will be affected (enhanced, eliminated, or transformed) by AI. Roles involving routine information processing, customer service, basic coding, and data entry are most immediately vulnerable. Conversely, roles requiring interpersonal skills, creativity, and physical dexterity in unstructured environments are less susceptible. The World Economic Forum's "Future of Jobs Report" (2025) projected that 85 million jobs will be displaced by automation by 2025, while 97 million new roles will emerge — but the transition requires active reskilling policy. Cormann's call for flexible adult training aligns with OECD research identifying lifelong learning infrastructure as the key policy lever.
- 27% of jobs globally at high risk of automation (OECD, cited by Cormann at Summit).
- IMF: 60% of advanced-economy jobs and 40% of emerging-market jobs affected by AI.
- Sectors most at risk: clerical work, customer service, manufacturing, basic legal and financial analysis.
- Policy response: adult retraining programmes, portable skills credentials, social safety nets for displaced workers.
- OECD Skills Outlook: publishes annual assessments of adult skill levels and training policy effectiveness.
- India's challenge: large informal workforce (90%+ informal employment) has limited access to formal reskilling pathways.
Connection to this news: Cormann's emphasis on "flexible, targeted adult training" as the essential policy response to AI-driven job disruption is the OECD's central recommendation — directly tested in UPSC Mains under labour markets, digital economy, and inequality.
India's Positioning in Global AI Governance
India has emerged as a significant voice in shaping global AI governance norms through its G20 Presidency (2023), which saw the adoption of the G20 AI Principles and the establishment of a G20 AI framework aligned with OECD standards. India is a founding member of GPAI and hosted the GPAI Summit in December 2023. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 consolidated India's role by hosting the GPAI Ministerial Council Meeting and securing adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI by 88+ nations. India's "AI for All" philosophy — prioritising public-good AI, multilingual access, and developing-country inclusion — is positioned as an alternative to purely commercial, proprietary AI development models from the US and China.
- India's G20 Presidency (2023): adopted G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, including G20 AI Principles (aligned with OECD framework).
- GPAI founding members: Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, United Kingdom, USA, EU.
- India hosted GPAI Summit December 2023, New Delhi.
- New Delhi Declaration (AI Impact Summit 2026): 88+ nations adopted; promotes "Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya" (welfare for all).
- IndiaAI Mission: ₹10,372 crore investment in domestic AI capacity, reinforcing India's credibility in governance discussions.
Connection to this news: The OECD chief's speech at the Summit validated India's hosting role and reinforced that the Delhi Declaration's framework is consistent with the OECD's human-centric AI governance approach — India is now a norm-setter, not just a rule-taker.
Key Facts & Data
- OECD Secretary-General: Mathias Cormann (Australia); took office 2021.
- OECD AI Principles: first adopted May 2019; first intergovernmental AI standard; updated May 2024.
- GPAI: Global Partnership on AI; India is founding member; merged with OECD AI programme.
- Jobs at high automation risk globally: 27% (OECD); 60% in advanced economies, 40% in emerging markets (IMF).
- India AI Impact Summit: February 16–20, 2026, New Delhi.
- New Delhi Declaration: adopted by 88+ nations (eventually 91 signatories).
- India's G20 AI Principles: adopted September 2023 during India's G20 Presidency.
- IndiaAI Mission: ₹10,372 crore; 38,000+ GPUs available for affordable access.