AI Impact Summit 2026: Overview

New Delhi is set to become a focal point for global discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) as India hosts the AI Impact Summit 2026. The event aims to showcase India's capabilities in developing real-world AI solutions and assert its leadership in AI discussions, especially in the Global South. The summit is a further evolution of international dialogues on AI governance, following similar events in the UK, South Korea, and France.

Key Elements of the Summit

• Inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 19, with the India AI Impact Expo 2026 launched earlier on February 16.
• Focus on "People, Planet, and Progress" to create AI solutions for real-world issues.
• Participation from over 100 countries, including heads of state from France, Brazil, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Estonia.
• Delegations from 45+ countries and 40 CEOs from major global and Indian tech companies.

Thematic Focus

The summit will concentrate on several core themes, including:

• Democratisation of AI: Emphasizing inclusive datasets and resources to prevent bias in AI outputs.
• Showcasing real-world AI applications in health, agriculture, and education.
• Development of AI Commons, trusted AI tools, and shared compute infrastructure.

Sessions and Discussions

• 500+ sessions covering topics like AI safety, ethical use, data protection, and the creation of indigenous foundation models.
• Exploration of AI's impact on jobs, new skill requirements, and support for farmers and small businesses.
• Potential launch of domestically developed AI language models and hardware announcements related to data center expansion.

Significance and Challenges

The summit takes place amid growing concerns over AI's impact on traditional economic drivers and resources like energy and water. India's IT sector, crucial to its economy, faces challenges from AI advancements. The summit aims to address these concerns and strategize for a future inclusive of AI technologies.