The world has descended upon India's capital as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the landmark India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam this morning, transforming Delhi into the global epicentre of artificial intelligence discussions for the next five days.
In a historic first for the Global South, the summit has drawn delegations from over 45 countries, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Tech giants Microsoft, IBM, Zoom, and Adobe have sent their top leadership, while Bill Gates touched down in Andhra Pradesh yesterday for related engagements ahead of the main event.
PM Modi Sets the Tone: "AI Must Serve Humanity"
Welcoming global leaders ahead of the formal inauguration, PM Modi emphasised that India's approach to artificial intelligence remains rooted in its cultural ethos. The summit's theme—"Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya" (welfare for all, happiness for all)—reflects New Delhi's vision that AI must prioritise human welfare above all.
"Thanks to the 1.4 billion people of India, our nation stands at the forefront of the AI transformation," the Prime Minister remarked. "From digital public infrastructure to a vibrant startup ecosystem and cutting-edge research, our strides in AI reflect both ambition and responsibility."
Modi attributed the extraordinary global turnout to India's rising technological influence and, significantly, to the capabilities of the country's youth. "This also shows the capability of our country's young population," he added.
What's on the Five-Day Agenda?
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 isn't just about high-profile speeches—it's structured for concrete outcomes. Day one focuses on leadership dialogues and the inaugural plenary. Days two and three will dive into technical sessions on foundation models, computing infrastructure, and sectoral AI applications in healthcare, agriculture, and education.
The final two days are reserved for startup showcases, bilateral meetings, and the AI Impact Expo—a sprawling 70,000 square metre exhibition space where visitors can interact with AI-enabled automotive prototypes, robotic surgical systems, and India-focused innovations already approved for deployment.
India's ₹10,372 Crore Bet on AI
Under the ambitious IndiaAI Mission, the government has committed substantial resources to build a self-reliant AI ecosystem. Key highlights include:
- 38,000+ GPUs added for shared computing access
- 12 indigenous foundation models currently under development
- 30+ India-focused AI applications already approved for implementation
- Thousands of undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students receiving research support
This infrastructure push aims to position India not merely as an AI consumer but as a significant rule-setter in how artificial intelligence evolves globally.
Expert Voices: Jobs, Productivity, and the Future
Industry leaders at the summit struck an optimistic chord about AI's impact on employment and society:
Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder of Info Edge, offered reassurance to worried professionals: "AI isn't eliminating jobs, but rather increasing productivity." His advice to young people was direct—embrace AI tools or risk being left behind.
Harish Krishnan from Cisco Systems India highlighted the intergenerational impact: "AI is improving society for generations to come and helping to enhance human capabilities."
Vineet Nayar, former CEO of HCL Technologies, presented a balanced view: while AI will impact 50% of jobs, it will simultaneously create 50% of new employment opportunities.
Tejpreet Chopra, Co-Chairperson of the CII National AI Forum, stressed the technology's integration into daily life: "From healthcare and agriculture to education and governance, AI is making everything easier. Instead of taking away jobs, AI will create new roles, foster entrepreneurship, and prepare the workforce of the future."
Why This Summit Matters Right Now
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 arrives at a crucial juncture. As nations scramble to regulate AI while fostering innovation, India is positioning itself as the natural bridge between advanced economies and the developing world.
For the Global South, this summit represents something unprecedented—a chance to shape AI's trajectory rather than simply react to decisions made elsewhere. India's emphasis on inclusion, accessibility, and sustainable development offers an alternative framework to purely profit-driven AI models.
Online interest has surged dramatically, with "India Impact AI Summit 2026" rapidly climbing Google Trends as global attention turns to New Delhi. And understandably so—if artificial intelligence is indeed defining humanity's future, many of the people building and regulating that future are currently gathered under one roof at Bharat Mandapam.
The five-day event continues through February 20, with expectations running high for concrete partnerships and policy frameworks to emerge from what may prove the most significant technology summit hosted in South Asia this decade.
