Manipur Voice highlighted the importance of AI sovereignty and inclusion at the United Nations AI Summit held in Bangkok, drawing attention to the need for equitable and ethical governance of artificial intelligence. Representing voices from India’s Northeast and the Global South, Manipur Voice stressed that AI development must respect local autonomy, cultural diversity, and inclusive access rather than remain dominated by a few powerful nations or corporations.
Speaking at the global forum, Manipur Voice emphasised that AI sovereignty and inclusion are critical for ensuring that emerging technologies empower communities instead of deepening existing inequalities. The intervention positioned the Northeast’s perspective within broader international discussions on responsible AI governance.
The UN AI Summit brought together policymakers, technologists, civil society organisations, and academics from across the world to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and its societal impact.
Read More: Tripura CM Saha Lauds PM Modi’s Insightful Pariksha Pe Charcha
AI sovereignty and inclusion take centre stage at UN forum
At the summit, Manipur Voice argued that AI sovereignty and inclusion must remain central to global AI governance frameworks. Speakers highlighted that countries and communities should retain the right to shape AI systems according to their social, cultural, and economic contexts.
They warned that concentration of AI infrastructure, data, and decision-making power in a few regions risks marginalising smaller economies and indigenous populations. Therefore, inclusive AI governance remains essential for global fairness.
Manipur Voice said sovereignty does not imply isolation. Instead, it ensures meaningful participation and informed consent in global AI development.
Representing voices from the Global South
Manipur Voice highlighted how perspectives from the Global South often remain underrepresented in global AI discourse. At the UN AI Summit, the organisation stressed that AI policies shaped without these voices risk reinforcing digital colonialism.
According to speakers, many regions lack access to AI infrastructure, data resources, and capacity-building opportunities. As a result, global AI systems may fail to reflect diverse realities.
By advocating AI sovereignty and inclusion, Manipur Voice sought to bridge this gap and promote shared responsibility in AI governance.
Ethical AI and community impact
Ethics formed a major part of Manipur Voice’s intervention. The organisation argued that AI systems increasingly influence decision-making in areas such as governance, healthcare, education, and security.
Without ethical safeguards, AI can amplify bias, exclude marginalised communities, and erode trust. Therefore, AI sovereignty and inclusion must guide the design, deployment, and regulation of AI technologies.
Speakers called for ethical frameworks that prioritise human dignity, transparency, and accountability across borders.
Importance of local data governance
Manipur Voice also highlighted the issue of data governance at the UN AI Summit. They said communities must retain control over how their data is collected, stored, and used.
According to them, unchecked data extraction undermines AI sovereignty and inclusion. Local data often feeds global AI models without adequate benefit-sharing or consent.
Therefore, they urged the UN and member states to develop norms that respect data rights and community ownership.
Inclusion of indigenous and marginalised communities
A key focus of the presentation involved inclusion of indigenous and marginalised communities in AI development. Manipur Voice said such communities often face digital exclusion due to language barriers, infrastructure gaps, and limited policy attention.
They argued that AI tools should support cultural preservation, local languages, and community-led development. Otherwise, technology risks erasing diversity.
By foregrounding AI sovereignty and inclusion, Manipur Voice positioned technology as a means of empowerment rather than homogenisation.
Capacity building and skill development
Manipur Voice stressed that inclusion requires investment in capacity building. At the UN AI Summit, they called for global cooperation to support education, research, and skill development in underrepresented regions.
According to them, without building local expertise, AI governance remains symbolic rather than substantive. Therefore, training programmes and knowledge-sharing platforms must accompany policy commitments.
They said empowering youth and researchers in regions like the Northeast strengthens global AI ecosystems.
Role of international institutions
The organisation urged international institutions, including the United Nations, to play a stronger role in ensuring AI sovereignty and inclusion. They said global norms must prevent monopolisation of AI power.
Manipur Voice suggested that multilateral platforms can help balance innovation with equity. Through inclusive dialogue, they argued, global governance can reflect shared values rather than narrow interests.
The UN AI Summit, they said, offers a vital space to advance this agenda.
Technology, democracy, and trust
Manipur Voice also linked AI sovereignty and inclusion with democratic values. They said AI systems increasingly influence public discourse, governance, and civic engagement.
Without transparency and accountability, AI can undermine trust in institutions. Therefore, inclusive governance ensures that communities understand and influence how AI affects their lives.
Speakers argued that democratic oversight must evolve alongside technological progress.
Relevance for India’s Northeast
At the summit, Manipur Voice highlighted the relevance of AI sovereignty and inclusion for regions like India’s Northeast. They said geographic remoteness and socio-political sensitivity require context-aware AI solutions.
AI tools designed without local input may misinterpret data or exacerbate tensions. Therefore, regional perspectives must inform AI deployment.
By raising these concerns globally, Manipur Voice sought to ensure that emerging technologies serve peace, development, and inclusion.
Global reactions and engagement
Delegates at the UN AI Summit welcomed discussions on sovereignty and inclusion. Several participants acknowledged the need to broaden AI governance beyond technological elites.
Manipur Voice’s intervention sparked conversations on balancing innovation with equity. Observers said such contributions enrich global debates by introducing ground-level realities.
The dialogue underscored that AI governance remains a shared global responsibility.
Future roadmap for inclusive AI
Manipur Voice outlined a future roadmap centred on collaboration, ethics, and empowerment. They called for participatory policymaking that includes civil society, communities, and smaller nations.
AI sovereignty and inclusion, they said, should guide international agreements and national strategies alike. Only then can AI contribute to sustainable and just development.
They urged continued engagement beyond summits to ensure accountability.
Conclusion
Manipur Voice’s participation at the UN AI Summit in Bangkok highlighted AI sovereignty and inclusion as essential pillars of responsible artificial intelligence. By amplifying voices from the Northeast and the Global South, the organisation challenged dominant narratives and called for more equitable AI governance.
As AI continues to shape societies worldwide, the emphasis on sovereignty, ethics, and inclusion offers a pathway toward technology that respects diversity and human dignity. Manipur Voice’s intervention underscores that the future of AI must belong to all, not just a privileged few.