New Delhi, Feb 19: Asserting that the India AI Summit demonstrates the country’s growing leadership in ethical and human-centric artificial intelligence, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Wednesday said that Ladakh is steadily moving towards becoming the nation’s first AI-enabled city while offering natural advantages for sustainable data infrastructure.
Addressing media on the sidelines of the summit at Bharat Mandapam here, the Lieutenant Governor said the participation of more than 20 countries highlights India’s rising stature as a trusted global partner in shaping the future of responsible artificial intelligence. He observed that as India advances towards global technological leadership, AI is emerging as a driving force for inclusive growth, accountable governance and sustainable development.
During his visit, the Lt Governor visited several technology pavilions and interacted with representatives of leading global and Indian companies, including Google, Meta, Amazon, Airtel, CoRover and other IT firms actively working in the field of artificial intelligence. He appreciated the innovative AI-based solutions showcased at the summit, particularly those aimed at improving governance efficiency, public service delivery, healthcare, education and digital inclusion.
The Lt Governor said that under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a global voice for innovation with responsibility. He noted that the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital India, AI for All and technology-led governance has laid a strong foundation for leveraging emerging technologies to empower citizens, strengthen institutions and ensure development reaches the last mile.
He stated that the India AI Summit has brought together heads of state, ministers, policymakers, industry leaders and technology experts from across the globe, reinforcing India’s leadership role in framing global AI discourse. The summit reflects international confidence in India’s technological capabilities and its commitment to developing AI systems that are transparent, ethical and aligned with democratic values.
Highlighting the relevance of artificial intelligence for frontier regions, the Lt Governor said that Ladakh, with its unique geography, strategic importance and developmental challenges, stands to benefit significantly from AI-driven interventions. He said the Union Territory aims to harness artificial intelligence for smart administration, predictive governance, environmental monitoring, disaster management, climate resilience, tourism management and youth empowerment.
The Lt Governor also highlighted Ladakh’s strong potential as a suitable destination for Data Centres, citing its naturally cold climate, clean energy prospects and low humidity, which significantly reduce cooling requirements and enhance energy efficiency. He said Ladakh offers long-term advantages for sustainable and green data infrastructure, aligned with India’s data sovereignty and digital security objectives. The Union Territory, he added, is well placed to emerge as a strategic hub for next-generation data centres supporting artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital governance, while ensuring minimal environmental impact.
The Lt Governor further stated that Ladakh is working towards becoming the country’s first AI-enabled city, leveraging technology to enhance urban governance, improve quality of life and promote sustainable and inclusive development. He emphasised that with strong institutional support, innovation partnerships and the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Ladakh can emerge as a national model for AI-led, future-ready development, particularly in remote and high-altitude regions.
The Lt Governor expressed confidence that the outcomes of the India AI Summit would further strengthen international cooperation, accelerate innovation and reinforce India’s journey towards becoming a global AI powerhouse, while ensuring that technology remains people-centric, inclusive and development-oriented.
