Seattle University, in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in Seattle, hosted a briefing session on the upcoming AI India Impact Summit 2026, highlighting India’s vision of using artificial intelligence to promote social good, sustainability, and inclusive economic development.
Held on January 12 at the Casey Commons Conference Hall on the Seattle University campus, the event attracted a strong turnout of students and senior faculty members. Discussions revolved around the summit’s central theme, “People, Planet, and Progress,” and offered insights into India’s rapidly expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Organizers explained that India’s AI strategy is being shaped around national development priorities, with a strong emphasis on sustainable growth and economic inclusion. The session aimed to familiarize students, researchers, and academics with India’s growing influence in global AI policymaking and innovation frameworks.
The keynote address was delivered by Matt Oppenheimer, Chief Executive Officer of digital remittance company Remitly. He spoke about the company’s investments in India’s AI-driven future and highlighted its operations in Bengaluru. Oppenheimer noted that regulatory reforms and improvements in ease of doing business have made India an increasingly attractive destination for technology-driven enterprises.
Onur Bakiner, Professor of Political Science at Seattle University and Director of its Technology Ethics Initiative, also addressed the audience. He discussed both the challenges arising from the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the new opportunities it presents across sectors. His remarks encouraged students and scholars to critically engage with the ethical and societal dimensions of emerging technologies.
The Consul General of India in Seattle provided an update on preparations for the AI India Impact Summit 2026. He outlined the scope of the event and shared details about the high-level delegation expected to participate from the Greater Seattle region, underscoring the summit’s international significance.
This session marked the second in a series of pre-summit briefings planned across the Greater Seattle area. An earlier briefing was held on November 7, 2025, at the Consulate General of India in Seattle and was attended by members of the U.S. Congress and senior technology executives.
That earlier event featured U.S. Representatives Adam Smith and Michael Baumgartner, along with representatives from leading technology firms such as Microsoft, Salesforce, and Anicca Data Science Solutions.
The AI India Impact Summit 2026 is expected to convene policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and civil society representatives to advance discussions on the responsible, ethical, and inclusive use of artificial intelligence worldwide.
