New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 from February 16 to 20, bringing together global leaders, policymakers and technology stakeholders to discuss the future of artificial intelligence with a focus on development and public good.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the summit will be guided by three core pillars — People, Planet and Progress — reflecting the country’s approach to promoting inclusive and cooperative AI governance.
The five-day event will be held across key venues in the national capital, including Bharat Mandapam and Sushma Swaraj Bhawan. Officials say more than 200,000 participants have registered, representing governments, industry, academia and civil society. Registrations also include farmers and grassroots stakeholders, highlighting efforts to connect AI policy discussions with real-world development needs.
Programme OverviewFrom February 16 to 18, the summit will feature sectoral showcases, applied AI demonstrations, solution platforms and policy dialogues focusing on implementation and practical use cases.
The leaders’ segment will begin on February 18 and continue through February 19, including a formal inaugural session, high-level addresses and closed-door discussions. The summit will conclude on February 20 with thematic panels and policy deliberations.
At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaders from 20 countries are expected to attend, alongside ministerial delegations from more than 45 nations. The Secretary-General of the United Nations and senior representatives of several international organisations are also scheduled to participate.
Development-Focused AI AgendaIndia’s summit follows earlier global AI gatherings hosted by the United Kingdom, South Korea and France, which largely focused on safety and governance issues. New Delhi is placing stronger emphasis on artificial intelligence as a driver of economic growth, social empowerment and sustainable development, particularly for emerging and developing economies.
The summit is structured around seven thematic focus areas, including democratizing AI access, economic transformation, scientific advancement, human capital development and resilient innovation systems. Working groups involving more than 100 countries have been meeting since September last year to develop policy recommendations that will inform leaders’ discussions.
Officials have also pointed to India’s digital public infrastructure — including real-time payments and digital governance platforms — as examples of how technology can enhance service delivery and citizen empowerment.
The summit will address concerns related to automation and employment, with dedicated discussions on skilling, reskilling and workforce transitions.
With the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, New Delhi is seeking to strengthen its role in shaping global AI discourse, particularly from the perspective of the Global South. (Source: NDTV)
