India has officially launched the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, which runs from February 16 to 20 and is described as one of the largest global technology gatherings ever held in the Global South. The summit has drawn hundreds of global AI leaders, CEOs, heads of state, ministers, and thousands of delegates to discuss the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to drive inclusive economic and societal development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurating the summit, said: “The theme of the Summit is Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya -welfare for all, happiness for all. AI today is transforming several sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, and enterprise. Thanks to India’s 1.4 billion people, our nation stands at the forefront of the AI transformation. We invite the whole world’s data to reside in India.”
The summit brings together top global technology companies, policymakers, researchers, and innovators to address the opportunities and challenges of AI. More than 3,000 speakers from over 45 countries are participating, underscoring the event’s international scale. Confirmed attendees include Sundar Pichai (Google), Sam Altman (OpenAI), Dario Amodei (Anthropic), and Yann LeCun (Meta), as well as ministers and heads of state from over 20 nations. International organisations, including the United Nations, are also taking part in key discussions.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said: “India has all the ingredients: homegrown tech talent, a national strategy, and an infectious optimism about what AI can do for the country. OpenAI is committed to helping build AI in India, with India, and for India. India now has 100 million weekly ChatGPT users.”
Running alongside the summit is the India AI Impact Expo 2026, covering more than 70,000 square metres with hundreds of global pavilions, over 600 startups, and more than 300 exhibitor zones showcasing AI applications across healthcare, agriculture, education, climate action, and public services. The summit and expo are organised around thematic pillars such as Human Capital, Inclusion, Safe and Trusted AI, Democratising AI Resources, and AI for Economic Development, reflecting India’s ambition to drive broad-based technological impact.
A key focus of the summit is international cooperation on AI policy and ethics. Sessions include discussions on AI safety, data protection, regulatory alignment, and inclusive innovation. Delegations from major economies, including the United States and China, are participating at the ministerial level, signalling a shared interest in global AI collaboration despite geopolitical tensions.
India is also showcasing its domestic AI ecosystem, including multilingual AI systems for its 22 official languages and government-backed programmes in AI skill development and public-sector applications. To facilitate global participation, India has launched UPI One World, a digital payments initiative allowing international delegates to use the country’s unified payment infrastructure without local bank accounts or mobile numbers.
The summit positions India as both a technology partner and policy innovator, particularly for emerging markets and the Global South. For global AI companies, it provides opportunities for partnerships, market access, and policy dialogue, while allowing India to highlight its talent pool, digital infrastructure, and ambition to lead inclusive, ethical, and impact-driven AI development.
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