#FactCheck - Suryakumar Yadav–Salman Ali Agha Handshake Row: Viral Image Found AI-Generated

Introduction
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India is reaching a turning point in its technological development when the AI Impact Summit 2026 is held in New Delhi. Artificial Intelligence (AI)is transforming economies, labour markets, governance structures and even the grammar of public discourse. It is no longer a frontier of speculation. The challenge facing the Summit is not whether AI will change our societies, it has already done so but rather whether inclusiveness and human dignity will serve as the foundation for this change. 

India’s AI journey is defined by scale. The nation has one of the biggest user bases for cutting edge AI systems worldwide. According to projections, AI may create millions of new technology-driven occupations by 2030 and change the nature of millions more. This is a structural reconfiguration rather than an incremental alteration. The stakes are high for a country with a large youth population and diverse socioeconomic diversity. 

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India’s Tryst with Artificial Intelligence
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India’s tryst with AI is a developmental imperative occurring at a civilisational scale not a show put on for a western favour. AI is still portrayed in many international storylines as a competition between China’s state backed rapidity, Europe’s sophisticated regulations and Silicon Valley’s capital. India is far too frequently a huge consumer market rather than a significant force behind the AI era.  Such evaluations undervalue a nation that has already proven its capacity to implement technology at a democratic scale through its digital public infrastructure. AI in India is about more than just improving algorithms, it’s about giving millions more people access to social safety, healthcare, agriculture and education.

The scepticism overlooks a deeper truth, India innovates not from abundance but from urgency. India remains certain that technical advancement must be in line with social justice and inclusive growth. The recollections from history suggest that India’s greatest technological strides have often followed underestimation. 

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A Conclave of Contagious Ideas

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India has long been the favourite underestimation of certain western observers, a nation of 1.4 billion people, the world’s fifth largest economy, a noisy democracy with inconvenient geopolitical realities, often assessed by counterparts governing populations smaller than many of its states. Advice follows in spades, sometimes from cities that mastered the art of strategic improvisation long before they preached restraint and sometimes with lectures on innovation, governance and order. 

However, there are times when hierarchies need to be rearranged. It was hard to overlook the symbolism when Ranvir Sachdeva, the youngest keynote speaker at the AI Impact Summit, 2026, took the stage, “I’m here as the youngest keynote speaker at the Indian AI Impact Summit,” he said, discussing how he’s connecting ancient Indian beliefs to contemporary technology and the various strategies that other countries are doing to develop AI. In that simple articulation lay a quiet rebuttal, a civilization that once debated metaphysics under banyan trees is now debating ethics in plenary halls. History constantly demonstrates that India’s permanent address has never been underestimation. 

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From New Delhi to Geneva: The Global Arc of AI Governance
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Now that the AI Impact Summit, 2026 is coming to an end, what’s left is not just the recollection of its size but also the form of new international dialogue. The New Delhi Declaration, a remarkable highlight of the Summit, was signed by eighty-eight nations and international organisations to support the democratic spread of AI. 

The increasing complexity of the AI order was also made clear by the Summit. Pledges for investments totalled hundred of billions. The U.S. led Pax Silica effort was joined by India. SovereignLLMs in the country were introduced. At the same time, spectators were reminded that the politics of AI are inextricably linked to its promise via logistical challenges, protest disruptions and business rivalries. Although nations are not bound by the New Delhi Declaration it does represent a growing consensus that acceleration must be accompanied by governance. 

The revelation that the 2027 AI Impact Summit will be in Geneva represents a significant shift in this regard. Guy Parmelin, the president of Switzerland, described the upcoming chapter as one that is primarily concerned with international law and good governance in an attempt to guarantee that the future of AI is not entirely in the hands of powerful nations. From scale and ambition in New Delhi to normative consolidation in Europe, Geneva, longtime hotbed of multilateral diplomacy, provides symbolic continuity. 

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Concluding Confluence
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It is tempting to view the Global CyberPeace Summit (GCS), a Pre-Summit Event of AI Impact Summit held in close succession at Bharat Mandapam on 10th February, 2026. They formed a strong intellectual arc. At GCS, inclusion was not ornamental. A deeper message was conveyed by India Signing Hands’ involvement and purposeful emphasis on accessibility, digital systems must be created with, not just for, those on margins. Resilience must start at the economic level, according to the AI-enabled cybersecurity engagement for MSMEs. Participants were reminded during the talks on Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), CSAM prevention and child safety that technological arguments only gain significance when they are connected to real-world outcomes.

When Geneva takes over in 2027, the issue  will not just be how AI should be regulated, but also what ethical foundation that governance is built upon. New Delhi’s belief that wisdom and power must coexist may be its contribution to this developing narrative. That persistence has content than spectacle, as well as possibly the faint form of technical conscience. 

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Introduction

Quantum mechanics is not a new field. It finds its roots in the works of physicists such as Niels Bohr in the 1920s, and has informed the development of technologies like nuclear power in the past. But with developments in science and engineering, we are at the cusp of harnessing quantum mechanics for a new wave of real-world uses in sensing and metrology, computing, networking, security, and more. While at different stages of development, quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionise global security, economic systems, and digital infrastructure. The science is dazzling, but it is equally urgent to start preparing for its broader impact on society, especially regarding privacy and digital security. This article explores quantum computing, its threat to information integrity, and global interdependencies as they exist today, and discusses policy areas that should be addressed.

What Is Quantum Computing?

Classical computers use binary bits (0 or 1) to represent and process information. This binary system forms the base of modern computing. But quantum computers use qubits (quantum bits) as a basic unit, which can exist in multiple states ( 0, 1, both, or with other qubits) simultaneously due to quantum principles like superposition and entanglement. This creates an infinite range of possibilities in information processing and allows quantum machines to perform complex computations at speeds impossible for traditional computers. While still in their early stages, large-scale quantum computers could eventually:

1. Break modern encryption systems
2. Model complex molecules for drug discovery
3. Optimise global logistics and financial systems
4. Accelerate AI and machine learning

While this could eventually present significant opportunities in fields such as health innovation, material sciences, climate modelling, and cybersecurity, challenges will continue to arise even before the technology is ready for commercial application. Policymakers must start anticipating their impact.

Threats

Policy solutions surrounding quantum technologies will depend on the pace of development of the elements of the quantum ecosystem. However, the most urgent concerns regarding quantum computing applications are the risk to encryption and the impact on market competition.

1. Cybersecurity Threat: Digital infrastructure today (e.g., cloud services, networks, servers, etc.) across sectors such as government, banking and finance, healthcare, energy, etc., depends on encryption for secure data handling and communications. Threat actors can utilise quantum computers to break this encryption. Widely used asymmetric encryption keys, such as RSA or ECC, are particularly susceptible to being broken. Threat actors could "harvest now, decrypt later”- steal encrypted data now and decrypt it later when quantum capabilities mature. Although AES-256, a symmetric encryption standard, is currently considered resistant to quantum decryption, it only protects data after a secure connection is established through a process that today relies on RSA or ECC. This is why governments and companies are racing to adopt Post- Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD) to protect security and privacy in digital infrastructure.

2. Market Monopoly: Quantum computing demands significant investments in infrastructure, talent, and research, which only a handful of countries and companies currently possess. As a result, firms that develop early quantum advantage may gain unprecedented competitive leverage through offerings such as quantum-as-a-service, disrupting encryption-dependent industries, or accelerating innovation in pharmaceuticals, finance, and logistics. This could reinforce the existing power asymmetries in the global digital economy. Given these challenges, proactive and forward-looking policy frameworks are critical.

What Should Quantum Computing Policy Cover?

Commercial quantum computing will transform many industries. Policy will have to be flexible and be developed in iterations to account for fast-paced developments in the field. It will also require enduring international collaboration to effectively address a broad range of concerns, including ethics, security, privacy, competition, and workforce implications.

1. Cybersecurity and Encryption: Quantum policy should prioritise the development and standardisation of quantum-resistant encryption methods. This includes ongoing research into Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms and their integration into digital infrastructure. Global policy will need to align national efforts with international standards to create unified quantum-safe encryption protocols.

2. Market Competition and Access: Given the high barriers to entry, regulatory frameworks should promote fair competition, enabling smaller players like startups and developing economies to participate meaningfully in the quantum economy. Frameworks to ensure equitable access, interoperability, and fair competition will become imperative as the quantum ecosystem matures so that society can reap its benefits as a whole.

4. Ethical Considerations: Policymakers will have to consider the impact on privacy and security, and push for the responsible use of quantum capabilities. This includes ensuring that quantum advances do not contribute to cybercrime, disproportionate surveillance, or human rights violations.

5. International Standard-Setting: Setting benchmarks, shared terminologies, and measurement standards will ensure interoperability and security across diverse stakeholders and facilitate global collaboration in quantum research and infrastructure.

6. Military and Defence Implications: Militarisation of quantum technologies is a growing concern, and national security affairs related to quantum espionage are being urgently explored. Nations will have to develop regulations to protect sensitive data and intellectual property from quantum-enabled attacks.

7. Workforce Development and Education: Policies should encourage quantum computing education at various levels to ensure a steady pipeline of talent and foster cross-disciplinary programs that blend quantum computing with fields like machine learning, AI, and engineering.

8. Environmental and Societal Impact: Quantum computing hardware requires specialised conditions such as extreme cooling. Policy will have to address the environmental footprint of the infrastructure and energy consumption of large-scale quantum systems. Broader societal impacts of quantum computing, including potential job displacement, accessibility issues, and the equitable distribution of quantum computing benefits, will have to be explored.

Conclusion

Like nuclear power and AI, the new wave of quantum technologies is expected to be an exciting paradigm shift for society. While they can bring numerous benefits to commercial operations and address societal challenges, they also pose significant risks to global information security. Quantum policy will require regulatory, strategic, and ethical frameworks to govern the rise of these technologies, especially as they intersect with national security, global competition, and privacy. Policymakers must act in collaboration to mitigate unethical use of these technologies and the entrenchment of digital divides across countries. The OECD’s Anticipatory Governance of Emerging Technologies provides a framework of essential values like respect for human rights, privacy, and sustainable development, which can be used to set a baseline, so that quantum computing and related technologies benefit society as a whole.

References

• https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/07/explainer-what-is-quantum-technology/
• https://www.paconsulting.com/insights/what-is-quantum-technology
• https://delinea.com/blog/quantum-safe-encryption#:~:text=This%20can%20result%20in%20AES,%2D128%20to%20AES%2D256.
• https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/a-quantum-technologies-policy-primer_fd1153c3-en.html

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Executive Summary:

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A dramatic image circulating online, showing a Boeing 787 of Air India  engulfed in flames after crashing into a building in Ahmedabad, is not a genuine photograph from the incident. Our research has confirmed it was created using artificial intelligence.

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Claim:

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Social media posts and forwarded messages allege that the image shows the actual crash of Air India Flight AI‑171 near Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025.

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Fact Check:

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In our research to validate the authenticity of the viral image, we conducted a reverse image search and analyzed it using AI-detection tools like Hive Moderation. The image showed clear signs of manipulation, distorted details, and inconsistent lighting. Hive Moderation flagged it as “Likely AI-generated”, confirming it was synthetically created and not a real photograph.

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In contrast, verified visuals and information about the Air India Flight AI-171 crash have been published by credible news agencies like The Indian Express and  Hindustan Times, confirmed by the aviation authorities. Authentic reports include on-ground video footage and official statements, none of which feature the viral image. This confirms that the circulating photo is unrelated to the actual incident.

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Conclusion:

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The viral photograph is a fabrication, created by AI, not a real depiction of the Ahmedabad crash. It does not represent factual visuals from the tragedy. It’s essential to rely on verified images from credible news agencies and official investigation reports when discussing such sensitive events.

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• Claim: An Air India Boeing aircraft crashed into a building near Ahmedabad airport
• Claimed On:  Social Media
• Fact Check: False and Misleading