Delegations from more than 45 countries are attending the summit, the first large-scale AI forum hosted in the Global South. Among the prominent participants are French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, alongside senior representatives from global technology firms and policy institutions.

Opening the event, Modi said the theme “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” reflects India’s vision of technology serving humanity. He credited the country’s population and digital ecosystem for placing it “at the forefront of the AI transformation,” citing advances in public digital infrastructure, startups and research. Officials said the summit combines ministerial meetings, industry sessions and a large-scale expo to demonstrate practical uses of AI across sectors.

The government used the platform to highlight progress under the IndiaAI Mission, which has allocated ₹10,372 crore to expand computing infrastructure, research and talent development. More than 38,000 graphics processing units have been added to a shared national computing pool, while a dozen domestic foundation models are in development and over 30 India-focused AI applications have been cleared for deployment.

Technology leaders attending include executives from multinational firms such as Microsoft and IBM, as well as startup founders and academic researchers. Philanthropist Bill Gates arrived earlier in Andhra Pradesh for related engagements and was received by state minister Nara Lokesh.

Industry speakers framed AI as a productivity driver rather than a job killer. Sanjeev Bikhchandani said young professionals should learn to use AI tools to remain competitive, while former HCL Technologies chief Vineet Nayar argued that automation would reshape employment but also generate new roles.

Officials said hosting the summit positions India as a bridge between developed and developing economies in debates over AI governance, safety standards and equitable access. Analysts note that as countries race to regulate rapidly advancing technologies, New Delhi is seeking a stronger voice in setting global norms rather than merely adopting them.

The event, which runs through Feb. 20, is expected to produce policy recommendations, industry partnerships and research collaborations that could influence how AI is deployed across emerging markets in the coming decade.