New Delhi: India is preparing to host one of the world’s most influential technology gatherings as the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 kicks off in New Delhi from February 16 to 20. The event aims to position India as a key global voice in shaping the future of artificial intelligence with a strong emphasis on development, inclusion and public good.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the summit is anchored around three core “Sutras” — People, Planet and Progress — reflecting India’s collaborative and development-centric approach to AI governance and deployment.
Massive Five-Day Programme Across New Delhi
The five-day summit will be held across multiple major venues in the national capital, including Bharat Mandapam and Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, along with several other locations.
Senior officials have described the scale of the event as unprecedented, with over two lakh participants already registered. Attendees include representatives from governments, industry, academia and civil society, with notable participation from farmers and grassroots communities, highlighting India’s goal to connect AI discussions with real-world development needs.
Summit Phases and Key Events
The programme is structured in multiple phases:
- February 16–18: Side events, sectoral showcases, AI solution platforms, farming stations and fireside chats focusing on practical use cases and execution models.
- February 18–19: Leaders’ segment featuring the formal inauguration, high-level speeches and closed-door deliberations among global leaders and policymakers.
- February 20: Thematic panels and policy discussions with strong participation from European leaders and institutions.
Global Leaders and Delegations to Attend
At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaders from 20 countries are expected to attend, including Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez, Greece’s Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Netherlands’ Dick Schoof, along with leaders from Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, the UAE, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Ministerial delegations from over 45 countries, the UN Secretary-General, and senior officials from several international organisations will also participate.
India Shifts Global AI Agenda Toward Development
Unlike earlier global AI summits in the UK, South Korea and France that focused mainly on safety, security and governance, India is deliberately shifting the narrative. New Delhi is positioning AI as a tool for development, particularly for emerging and developing economies.
The summit is structured around seven thematic “chakras”, covering areas such as:
- Democratising AI resources
- Economic growth
- Science and innovation
- Social empowerment
- Human capital development
- Resilient innovation ecosystems
More than 100 countries have been involved in working groups since September last year, and their recommendations will feed into the leaders’ discussions.
Digital Public Infrastructure as a Global Model
Officials are highlighting India’s digital public infrastructure, including real-time payments and digital governance platforms, as proof that inclusive technology can transform service delivery and empower citizens.
The summit will also tackle concerns about automation and job losses, with dedicated discussions on skilling, reskilling and workforce transitions.
India’s Statement of Global AI Leadership
As New Delhi prepares to host this massive diplomatic and technological convergence, the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is seen as a strong declaration of India’s intent to reshape the global AI conversation, placing people, sustainability and progress at the centre of technological evolution.