NEW DELHI (India CSR): The BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI) hosted the Youth & AI Policy Lab – Case Study Challenge 2026 at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. This initiative aims to place youth-driven policy thinking at the forefront of global discussions on artificial intelligence (AI). The event served as an official pre-summit initiative for the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026, which is anticipated to be a leading forum for responsible and inclusive AI practices.
During the event, S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), emphasized the transformative potential of AI in enhancing development across the Global South. “Artificial Intelligence gives us this opportunity to enable many of the countries of the Global South to achieve prosperity and to move up in the overall level of development,” he stated, highlighting technology’s role in enhancing productivity and effectiveness.
The Chief Guest, Shri Kartikeya Sharma, a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, commended BRICS CCI for fostering a platform that empowers youth in AI governance. He noted, “Global AI governance cannot be shaped without the voice of the Global South,” reinforcing India’s readiness to collaborate with BRICS and BRICS+ partners to develop equitable and trustworthy AI frameworks.
In his welcome address, Harvansh Chawla, Chairman of BRICS CCI, remarked on the pervasive influence of AI today. “AI today is not a distant concept. It is already influencing how classrooms function, how healthcare reaches people, how financial decisions are made, and how governments operate,” he said.
Ashok Kumar Singh, Vice Chairman of BRICS CCI, highlighted India’s vision for responsible and ethical AI development, stating that “Digital India, startups, and youth leadership show our focus on progress.” He urged the inclusion of young voices in policy discussions.
Sameep Shastri, also Vice Chairman of BRICS CCI, expressed his confidence in youth leadership, observing, “Working with young leaders across institutions and regions has reinforced my belief that the next generation is not short of ideas—what they need is trust and platforms.”
Dr. BBL Madhukar, Co-Chairman & Director General of BRICS CCI, stressed the importance of engaging youth in AI policy discussions. “The future of AI will be defined not only by innovation but by the quality of decisions we make around its use,” he asserted, advocating for early involvement of young minds in policymaking.
Ruhail Ranjan, Treasurer of BRICS CCI and MLA from Islampur, Bihar, echoed the sentiment, stating, “Youth of today is not looking for handouts but for opportunity, clarity, and leadership that turns ideas into action,” envisioning a future where technology and governance serve all citizens, not just the privileged few.
In a keynote address, Bibin Babu, Founder of GrowQR AI, spoke to the deeper responsibilities tied to AI innovation. “AI should not only make us faster; it should also make us fairer and unbiased,” he remarked, emphasizing the ethical imperatives of AI development. The lineup of speakers included notable figures such as Jayanth N. Kolla, Founder & Partner at Convergence Catalyst, and Vikram Malhotra, Director of AI Technology at Microsoft, among others, who discussed themes ranging from trust and data responsibility to cross-sector collaboration.
Diplomats from the Embassies of Russia, China, Egypt, and Indonesia attended the event, underscoring the significance of international engagement in shaping youth-led AI policy and governance.
Central to the Policy Lab was the Case Study Challenge, where participants presented AI-driven solutions to real-world challenges. After rigorous evaluation, Vrinda Pandey from the National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, was declared the Winner. The First Runner-Up was the IBRICS Watchful Brotherhood Team from Russia, followed by Team Sa-Su-Vi as Second Runner-Up. All top ten finalist teams were honored, and their papers will be featured in a dedicated Case Booklet outlining youth-led AI policy perspectives.
The event received support from esteemed sponsors, including GrowQR and FORE School of Management, which played crucial roles in facilitating a platform for youth-led dialogue and collaboration.
The BRICS CCI Youth & AI Policy Lab 2026 marks a significant step forward in embedding youth perspectives into global AI governance. It sets the stage for meaningful discussions at the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026, reinforcing the commitment to an inclusive, ethical, and human-centric future for AI.
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