India AI Impact Summit 2026: Focus on Inclusive Tech Impact
New Delhi hosts the first Global South AI summit Feb 16-20, uniting leaders to drive ethical, impactful AI for development worldwide.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is set to position the Indian capital as a pivotal hub for global technological leadership, particularly in artificial intelligence. Scheduled from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam, the event marks the first major global AI summit hosted in the Global South. Organized under India's IndiaAI Mission by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), it shifts the international AI discourse from safety and governance to tangible, measurable impact across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and climate action.
The summit builds on previous global forums such as the UK's AI Safety Summit, the AI Seoul Summit, and the France AI Action Summit. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it emphasizes principles of People, Planet, and Progress to ensure AI drives inclusive growth, ethical innovation, and sustainable development. With over 35,000 registrations and participation expected from more than 100 countries, the gathering will feature high-profile attendees including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI's Sam Altman, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, Anthropic's Dario Amodei, and leaders from Microsoft, Qualcomm, and Google DeepMind. Additionally, 15-20 heads of government, over 50 international ministers, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and numerous CEOs are anticipated, underscoring Delhi's rising stature in shaping AI's future.
Central to the event is the India AI Impact Expo, which will showcase solutions through 300+ exhibitors from India and 30+ countries across 10+ thematic pavilions. The program structures discussions around seven key themes—or "Chakras"—focusing on global collaboration for impactful AI deployment. Side events hosted by organizations like the World Bank, UN agencies, and research bodies will explore AI's role in infrastructure, economic growth, health systems, and inclusive innovation, particularly for emerging economies.
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This convergence in New Delhi highlights India's strategic ambition to lead in responsible AI, leveraging its vast talent pool, data resources, and policy frameworks like the IndiaAI Mission. By hosting such a high-profile platform, the city is emerging as a bridge between the Global North and South, fostering partnerships that prioritize equitable access to AI technologies and addressing challenges like bias, job disruption, and energy demands.
As the summit approaches, it signals a broader transformation where Delhi could evolve into a premier center for tech diplomacy and innovation. The emphasis on demonstrable outcomes over mere dialogue positions India—and by extension its capital—as a key influencer in ensuring AI benefits humanity universally while safeguarding planetary resources.
The event not only amplifies India's vision of technology for public good but also invites global stakeholders to co-create pathways for scalable, ethical AI that empowers diverse societies.
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