New Delhi, 16 February 2026 — Actor and UNFPA India Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Advocate, Soha Ali Khan, today called for the urgent adoption of ethical, gender-responsive artificial intelligence to make digital spaces safer and more empowering for women and girls, at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
Delivering the keynote address at the high-level session “Reimagining Gender in Technology: Designing Safer Digital Futures and Advancing Ethical AI for Inclusive Platforms” at Bharat Mandapam, Ms. Khan spoke from her experience as a public figure, highlighting both the promise of technology and the growing risks women face online.
“Technology has expanded opportunities for millions of Indian women—to learn, work, and be heard. But for that promise to truly hold, women must feel safe online. We have a real chance to shape AI so it actively protects women and helps more voices participate with confidence in digital spaces.”
The session was organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with Ikigai Law and the University of Melbourne, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and researchers to push for gender-responsive AI governance and stronger platform accountability in India. With over 750 million internet users and millions of women coming online for the first time, India’s approach to AI governance will play a critical role in shaping global standards for ethical, inclusive and rights-based technology.
Setting the tone in her opening remarks, Andrea M. Wojnar, Representative, UNFPA India and Country Director, UNFPA Bhutan, underscored that women’s rights, safety and dignity must be non-negotiable in India’s digital future.
“India’s leadership in AI gives us a unique opportunity to build systems that are safe, inclusive and grounded in human rights from the start. If we design and govern technology with women’s rights at the centre, we don’t just reduce harm—we unlock participation, innovation and shared progress for everyone.”
The keynote was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Rajiv Makhani, Tech Guru, featuring:
● Her Excellency May-Elin Stener, Ambassador of Norway to India
● Carolyn Florey, Digital Development Specialist, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
● Uthara Ganesh, Head of Public Policy, APAC, Snap Inc.
● Arpita Kanjilal, Head, Research and Communications Division, Digital Empowerment Foundation
The discussion centred on practical steps—from safety-by-design and AI that works across Indian languages to the economic case for closing India’s digital gender gap. The session closed with a clear sense of urgency about making digital spaces safer for women and designing AI around their realities, with speakers calling for closer collaboration between policymakers, platforms, researchers and civil society to turn ethical AI into action. An Ethical Technology Solution Showcase highlighted innovations from India and the Global South shaping safer, more inclusive digital spaces.
For more information, please contact:
Pinky Pradhan, Communications & Media Specialist | ppradhan@unfpa.org | +91 9810788435
About UNFPA
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA calls for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, quality maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education. Visit us at https://india.unfpa.org/en
