Awkward. Sam Altman, Dario Amodei skip unity hand-raise at PM Modi group photo

Awkward Moment at India AI Summit: Altman and Amodei Skip Unity Hand-Raise

By Sudhir Choudhary
February 20, 2026

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New Delhi, India — February 19, 2026: An unexpected moment unfolded at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on Thursday when two of the world’s most prominent artificial intelligence executives — Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic — declined to participate in a symbolic hand-raising gesture with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a group photograph, according to reporting by The Associated Press and Reuters.

The summit, hosted by the government of India and held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi as part of a week of discussions on the global future of AI, brought together leaders from technology companies and governments. Prime Minister Modi had invited Altman, Amodei, and other industry figures onstage for a unified photo moment designed to symbolize cooperation and shared purpose.

CEOs Dodge Gesture, Raise Fists Instead

During the group photo session on Thursday, February 19, most tech leaders linked hands and raised them in unison with Prime Minister Modi. Photographs and video from the event show Altman and Amodei standing next to each other but notably avoiding the hand-holding gesture. Observers reported that the two instead raised their fists in the air rather than clasping hands with one another.

The moment quickly circulated on social media and sparked widespread commentary about the visible discomfort between the two AI executives. Both leaders are central figures in the fast-evolving AI industry and are widely viewed as rivals. Amodei was previously a senior leader at OpenAI before departing in 2021 to co-found Anthropic, a company focused on safe and responsible AI development.

Context of the Rivalry

Altman and Amodei have taken different paths in shaping their companies’ approaches to artificial intelligence. Their competition has intensified recently, with each organization pursuing major commercial and strategic initiatives in generative AI. Anthropic’s leaders have been publicly outspoken about safety and governance issues, while OpenAI has pursued broader market deployment of its systems, including advertising and large-scale consumer engagement.

In recent months, the rivalry attracted attention after Anthropic aired Super Bowl-era advertisements critiquing OpenAI’s business moves, drawing direct public responses from OpenAI’s leadership. The tension between the two firms has been described by analysts as emblematic of broader philosophical divisions within the AI industry.

Reactions from Altman and Summit Observers

Following the summit, Altman addressed the awkward interaction in remarks to Indian media, saying he had been uncertain about what was expected during the hand-raising moment and that confusion — rather than deliberate reluctance — had played a role. Amodei did not issue a public comment on the photo-op incident as of Friday morning.

Social media users and tech commentators described the episode as a “classic AI cold war” moment, highlighting the competitive dynamic between the two firms. Some observers noted that the gesture and ensuing response underscored the complex interplay between industry cooperation on global AI governance and commercial competition.

Summit Setting and Broader Agenda

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 — held from February 16 to 20 — serves as a platform for international dialogue on artificial intelligence development, ethical considerations, and cooperation across governments, academia, and industry. Hosted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the event featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, and announcements on investment and innovation in AI.

Amidst its broader goals, the hand-raising photo-op was intended to symbolize solidarity and shared vision among world leaders and technology executives. The visibly divided response by Altman and Amodei, however, drew attention to the competitive realities shaping the sector.