AI Industry Tensions Highlighted at India AI Impact Summit 2026

AI industry dynamics took centre stage at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, capturing significant international attention when leaders from competing AI firms seemingly avoided a symbolic gesture during a highly publicised photo opportunity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Footage of the event, widely circulated online, featured Sam Altman from OpenAI and Dario Amodei from Anthropic standing next to each other but choosing not to hold hands while other attendees joined in a raised-hands pose prompted by PM Modi. Instead, both individuals opted for lifted fists, reflecting a subtle distinction that quickly sparked social media discussion and industry speculation.

Also on stage were Sundar Pichai and Alexandr Wang, emphasising the geopolitical and commercial significance of the summit as India emerges as a key player in the next phase of AI implementation.

Background of AI Rivalry

The relationship between Altman and Amodei is a blend of collaboration and competition. Amodei, along with some colleagues, departed from OpenAI earlier in the decade due to concerns that the rush to commercialise increasingly advanced AI systems could overshadow safety-focused development. This split led to the establishment of Anthropic, which is explicitly centred around a “safety-first” framework in its research and governance.

Contrasting Visions for AI Development

This division crystallised two divergent philosophies regarding the progression of artificial intelligence: one that prioritises rapid deployment and widespread accessibility and another that promotes cautious rollout alongside strict alignment and risk-mitigation measures.

The competitive tension resurfaced recently during a public exchange triggered by an advertising campaign from Anthropic in the US, seemingly targeting competitors expanding revenue models related to generative AI services. In response, Altman reacted strongly on social media, arguing in favour of a strategy he believed was essential to making AI tools accessible worldwide rather than restricting them to premium users.

This exchange underscored not only a business rivalry but also a fundamental disagreement regarding the funding and distribution of AI: whether it should be through expansive commercial ecosystems favouring mass adoption or via more tightly regulated deployments that prioritise risk management, even if access is slower to expand.