
India has created history by setting a new Guinness World Record for the “Most pledges received for an AI responsibility campaign in 24 hours.” The announcement was made by Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi.
The record was achieved after 2,50,946 valid pledges were collected between February 16 and February 17. The achievement was officially verified by a Guinness World Records adjudicator at the event, making it a proud moment for the country.
The campaign aimed to encourage citizens to commit to the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The response went far beyond expectations, as the initial target was only 5,000 pledges. Instead, more than 2.5 lakh people participated within just 24 hours.
The announcement was made at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, where policymakers, technology leaders, students, and industry experts had gathered to discuss the future of AI in India.
The nationwide AI Responsibility Pledge campaign was launched under the IndiaAI Mission in collaboration with Intel India. It began on February 16 and invited citizens from across the country to take a pledge through an online portal.
The pledge focused on encouraging ethical, inclusive, and responsible use of AI technologies. Participants were asked to think about important issues such as data privacy, accountability, transparency, and the need to fight misinformation. Instead of just signing a simple form, citizens answered scenario-based questions designed to make them reflect on how AI should be used responsibly.
Those who completed the pledge received a digital badge and were given access to AI learning resources. These resources are aimed at helping individuals understand AI better and use it wisely in their personal and professional lives.
The campaign was designed to build awareness about the growing role of AI in everyday life. From healthcare and education to business and governance, AI is becoming an important part of many sectors. With this rapid growth, the government believes it is important for citizens to understand both the benefits and responsibilities that come with such technology.
The official confirmation by Guinness World Records added credibility and global recognition to India’s efforts. The title — “Most pledges received for an AI responsibility campaign in 24 hours” — highlights not only the scale of participation but also the speed at which people responded.
Speaking at the summit, Ashwini Vaishnaw credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for inspiring this initiative. He said that the Prime Minister has always emphasized the importance of involving young people in technology in a positive and responsible way.
Vaishnaw said the government reached out to colleges, faculty members, and students across the country to encourage them to take part in the pledge. He praised the 2.5 lakh students and citizens who participated, calling it a proud moment for India.
According to the Minister, the overwhelming response shows that people, especially the youth, are aware of the importance of responsible AI. He said that India must move forward in a direction where AI is used as a tool to improve lives while maintaining strong ethical standards.
He also noted that this record is more than just a number. It represents a growing public understanding of digital responsibility. As AI becomes more powerful and widely used, countries around the world are discussing how to regulate and guide its development. India’s campaign sends a message that the country wants to shape the global AI conversation with a focus on ethics, inclusion, and trust.
The Minister highlighted that the participation far exceeded the original goal of 5,000 pledges. This, he said, reflects strong public engagement and growing awareness about AI adoption in India.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 served as the perfect platform for this announcement. The event brought together leaders from government, industry, and academia to discuss innovation, digital growth, and India’s role in the global AI ecosystem.
The campaign also shows how digital initiatives can successfully involve citizens in national missions. By making the pledge simple, interactive, and meaningful, the government managed to attract wide participation in a short period.
As AI continues to develop, questions about privacy, fairness, job impact, and misinformation will remain important. Through this campaign, India has taken a step toward ensuring that its citizens are not just users of technology, but responsible participants in shaping its future.
With this Guinness World Record, India has not only set a new global benchmark but also strengthened its commitment to building a trustworthy and human-centered AI ecosystem.