The India Today Conclave 2026 has commenced, featuring a welcoming speech from Arun Puri, the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the India Today Group. He emphasized the glaring paradox of our times, where rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and technology coexist with the backdrop of wars and the deterioration of global order. Puri argued that this duality is a defining characteristic of modern life, where extraordinary technological revolutions are unfolding alongside the ancient perils of warfare that threaten civilization itself.

Puri stated that while scientific discovery, technological capability, and economic power are accelerating at an unprecedented pace, institutions are fragmenting, regulations are weakening, and the stability of global systems is increasingly in question. He articulated that although artificial intelligence is reshaping almost every aspect of human life, human tendencies remain mired in historical patterns of conflict. This reflects a fundamental struggle between progress and the continuance of age-old conflicts, underscoring the challenges that humanity faces as it navigates through significant technological change.

The theme of the conclave, 'Breakthroughs and Breakdowns,' captures this tension, encouraging discussions around the innovations driving us forward and the issues that may lead to societal breakdowns. Overall, Puri's speech sets the stage for a critical examination of how advancements and conflicts are shaping the current global landscape and what this means for the future of humanity in this increasingly complex era.