The India AI Impact Summit 2026, the first major global AI gathering hosted in the Global South, has drawn unprecedented participation, including over 20 Heads of State, 60 Ministers and Vice Ministers, and more than 500 global AI leaders. Bringing together policymakers, technology companies, innovators, academia, and industry stakeholders, the Summit aims to transform global AI dialogue into actionable development outcomes aligned with the IndiaAI Mission and the Digital India initiative.
At Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026, (16-21 February) marking a landmark moment in India’s digital journey. Addressing heads of state, global tech CEOs, and multilateral leaders, Modi emphasized India’s resolve to make artificial intelligence human-centric, inclusive, and trusted, guided by the theme “For the welfare of all, for the happiness of all.” The Prime Minister stressed AI’s potential to drive growth, improve governance, and bridge the global digital divide. He also pointed out that the regulations must share rules and international cooperation on safety, ethics, and democratized access to AI resources.
The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 aims to advance an impact-oriented and people-centric approach to Artificial Intelligence, with emphasis on delivering measurable social and economic outcomes. The Summit is anchored on three foundational pillars, known as ‘Sutras’—a Sanskrit term meaning guiding principles or essential threads that weave together wisdom and action. These Sutras define how AI can be harnessed through multilateral cooperation for collective benefit.
The Summit has cast India as a platform for inclusive and ethical AI in a collective setting with a clear push towards values based on “People, Planet and Progress.” The India AI Impact Summit 2026 delivered focused, outcome-oriented results aligned with national priorities. The Summit aimed to advance practical AI deployment, policy coherence, and institutional coordination to ensure effective implementation across government and industry, strengthening governance and regulatory frameworks, assessing regional preparedness for AI-led industrial growth, and accelerating skill development and workforce transition. The Summit also sought to expand awareness of AI applications and foster sustained partnerships among government, academia, startups, and industry to promote responsible, inclusive, and innovation-driven growth of the AI ecosystem.
Source: PIB
