India to Host AI Impact Summit 2026 Focused on Democratising AI
India’s AI Impact Summit 2026 to focus on democratising AI for inclusive access and global cooperation.
As India prepares to host the landmark AI Impact Summit 2026, the government has underscored its commitment to the democratisation of artificial intelligence, highlighting a development model where scale, inclusion and innovation advance together. An official statement said India’s approach focuses on affordability, openness and trust to ensure AI benefits reach all sections of society.
The statement emphasised that India’s AI vision aims to empower farmers, students, researchers, startups and public institutions by making AI tools and infrastructure widely accessible. It added that democratising AI is not a one-time initiative but a sustained effort to reduce inequalities, strengthen societies and support long-term sustainable development.
For many developing nations, especially in the Global South, access to AI remains limited by the availability of data, computing power and digital infrastructure. The summit seeks to address these gaps by encouraging fair and affordable access to foundational AI resources, enabling countries to participate meaningfully in the global AI ecosystem.
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The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 will serve as a major platform for international collaboration, bringing together 15 to 20 Heads of Government, more than 50 international ministers, and over 100 global and Indian CEOs. Discussions will be organised through thematic “Chakras” or working groups focused on seven interconnected areas of AI development.
Among these, the Democratizing AI Resources Working Group has been highlighted as a key initiative. Co-chaired by India, Egypt and Kenya, the group aims to promote shared access, collaboration and capacity building to foster a more inclusive and balanced global AI landscape.
India’s strategy is guided by a comprehensive AI stack covering applications, models, compute, infrastructure and energy, treated as interconnected national capabilities. Backed by the IndiaAI Mission—approved in March 2024 with an outlay of ₹10,371.92 crore over five years—the framework seeks to expand access, enhance data availability and promote responsible AI use for public good.
Scheduled to be held from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the summit will be the first global AI event hosted in the Global South. It will bring together global leaders, policymakers, technology firms and experts to explore AI’s transformative potential for inclusive growth, governance and sustainable development.
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