Chitkara University Joins Global AI Summit 2026 at Express Adda Featuring OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

Chitkara University participated as an Associate Partner at Express Adda, hosted by The Indian Express at The Leela Palace, New Delhi, on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit 2026. The dialogue brought together policymakers, technology leaders, founders of AI-led enterprises, and academics for a substantive exchange on emerging technologies and their societal implications.

The session featured Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, in conversation with Anant Goenka, Executive Director of The Indian Express Group. Structured as a rapid-fire question format, the interaction spanned a range of themes, from the acceleration of AI research and intensifying global competition to questions of regulation, governance, and long-term technological implications. The conversation also touched on Altman's meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior government representatives, and industry leaders during his visit to India, reflecting the country's growing engagement in the global AI discourse.

The format balanced depth with accessibility, allowing for both serious reflection and moments of levity. Altman spoke about the pace at which AI systems have advanced — from solving basic academic problems to contributing to the frontier of human knowledge. On the question of employment and automation, he placed current anxieties within the broader historical arc of technological change. Drawing parallels with the Industrial Revolution, he suggested that while disruption is inevitable, societies adapt as new forms of work and opportunity emerge.

Chitkara University's presence at Express Adda extended beyond attendance. During the audience interaction segment, the University was invited to pose a question directly to Altman. The query focused on responsible AI and the checks and balances required to ensure that safety frameworks evolve in step with rapid technological development. The question reflected the University’s academic emphasis on ethics, governance and accountability in emerging technologies.

Responding in detail, Altman spoke about the internal systems OpenAI continues to build in order to evaluate risk and mitigate unintended consequences. He acknowledged that safety measures sometimes invite resistance due to the pace of innovation, yet maintained that sustained investment in responsible development remains central to the company’s long term approach. The exchange reiterated why academic institutions need a seat at these conversations, particularly as artificial intelligence reshapes industries and social systems at scale.

Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor of Chitkara University, reflected on the significance of the University's engagement at platforms of this kind. "Artificial intelligence is redefining how nations think about growth, governance and opportunity. For universities, the responsibility extends beyond curriculum, it includes participation in global conversations that shape policy and industry standards. Our presence at Express Adda reflects our commitment to academic rigour, ethical inquiry and meaningful industry engagement in the AI domain," she said.

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The event drew a diverse gathering of industry leaders, founders of AI-driven companies, researchers and senior executives from across sectors. Conversations extended well beyond the stage as participants discussed India’s emerging position within the global AI ecosystem. With increasing investment in digital infrastructure and talent development, India has become a critical node in the worldwide technology network, and dialogues such as Express Adda are where that positioning gets tested and refined.

The interaction coincided with the AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from February 16 to 20. The Summit brought together heads of state, government officials, technology executives, and AI researchers from around the world, with discussions spanning innovation policy, regulatory frameworks, cross-border collaboration, and the long-term trajectory of artificial general intelligence. Altman's visit and his engagement with Indian stakeholders highlighted the country's expanding role in conversations about the future of technology.

The event also carried a personal dimension and a quieter moment worth noting. Members of the Chitkara delegation met alumni working in the media and technology sectors — among them Anubhav, a BCA graduate from the 2025 batch, now working as a data analyst with The Indian Express. It was a small but telling reminder of the distance between a campus classroom and a room where the CEO of OpenAI is fielding questions about the future of intelligence itself.

Chitkara University's broader academic work in artificial intelligence, data science, and emerging technologies informed its presence at these forums. The University has built interdisciplinary programs that integrate computing with management, design, and the social sciences, grounded in the recognition that AI does not operate in isolation but interacts with business models, governance systems, and cultural contexts. Participating in conversations that bring together policymakers and innovators is one way the institution ensures its academic ecosystem stays connected to where the world is actually heading.

The exchange with Sam Altman was, in that sense, more than a high-profile interaction. It reflected a broader conviction: that universities must contribute informed perspectives to global conversations — not as observers of technological change, but as active, grounded voices within it.

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