Modi’s AI unity moment highlights rivalry between OpenAI and Anthropic leaders
By Axel Miller | 19 Feb 2026
Summary
A symbolic unity gesture at India’s flagship AI summit drew attention after OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei did not join hands on stage, underscoring competitive tensions in the global AI sector.
A symbolic show of unity at India’s flagship artificial intelligence summit drew attention when two of the industry’s most prominent rivals — OpenAI chief Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei — did not join hands during a stage moment led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As Modi invited corporate leaders to raise their hands together in a gesture of collaboration, most executives complied. Altman and Amodei, standing next to each other, kept their arms apart, highlighting the competitive backdrop between the two companies.
A viral moment at a high-stakes summit
The episode, captured on video and widely shared online, quickly sparked commentary about the rivalry between the companies.
Altman later said he was unsure what was expected on stage, telling local media he “didn’t know what was happening,” according to Reuters.
Other executives, including Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, participated in the gesture. Neither OpenAI nor Anthropic immediately commented on the moment.
Rivalry rooted in strategy and safety debates
Anthropic was founded in 2021 by Amodei and other former OpenAI researchers after disagreements over governance, safety, and commercialization approaches.
Since then, the companies have emerged as key competitors in advanced AI systems, vying for enterprise clients, talent, and influence over industry standards.
Summit faced minor disruptions
The summit also saw scheduling changes, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates withdrawing from a planned keynote appearance, Reuters reported.
Despite logistical challenges, officials said the event drew significant global participation and investment interest, reflecting India’s growing role in the AI ecosystem.
Why this matters
While largely symbolic, the moment illustrates how competition among leading AI firms increasingly plays out on global policy stages. Governments seeking partnerships must navigate a landscape where collaboration and rivalry coexist.
For businesses and investors, the dynamics between major AI developers can influence alliances, standards, and the pace of commercial deployment — particularly in fast-growing markets like India.
FAQs
Q1. What happened at the India AI summit?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited tech leaders to join hands in a unity gesture, but Sam Altman and Dario Amodei did not participate.
Q2. Why are OpenAI and Anthropic rivals?
Anthropic was founded by former OpenAI researchers after disagreements over governance and safety approaches, leading to direct competition.
Q3. Did the incident have business implications?
It was largely symbolic but highlights competitive dynamics that shape partnerships and industry positioning.
Q4. Who else attended the summit?
Global technology leaders including Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai attended, while Bill Gates withdrew from a planned keynote.
Q5. How significant is India in the AI landscape?
India is emerging as a major AI market attracting investment and global partnerships.
Q6. What does this say about the AI industry?
It reflects a balance of collaboration and rivalry as companies compete to shape AI development and standards.
