Summary: The government of India is organising the AI Impact Summit 2026, in New Delhi from February 16 to February 20. It is the largest global AI event in history held in the Global South. Leaders, tech companies, startups, researchers and governments are coming together to discuss how artificial intelligence should be built and used for public good. The focus is evident: AI for humanity, the planet, and collaborative advancement. This article explains what the summit is, why it matters, what will be happening each day and more
India AI Impact Summit 2026: What It Is And Why It Matters
India is making a major move on the world stage for AI. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is taking place from Feb. 16 – 20, and will bring together global political, technology leaders, startup and research communities together in New Delhi.
But this is not just another tech event; it will be the first globally accessible AI summit of this magnitude hosted in the Global South. This makes it an important event in and of itself. However, its focus on developing AI that is inclusive and responsible as well as providing everyday utility for all people, not just creating profit for a small number of companies, makes the summit unique.
While discussion around AI worldwide has been fueled by fear, hype and competition, and often led by those with the least vested interest in AI performance, India’s intention is to shift the discussion. The message is clear: Let AI be an instrument to supporting individuals, protecting our planet and fostering long-term progress.
The core idea: People, Planet, Progress
The summit centers on three core values: People, Planet and Progress.
People means AI should make daily life better. Among other things, this means safer streets, better health care, a quicker judicial system, quality education and good jobs.
Planet means Responsible AI should be put to work. That includes putting energy to the most efficient possible use, climate-resilient agriculture and technologies that promote rather than damage sustainability.
Progress means AI growth should not be limited to a handful of countries or corporations. Technology as a public resource rather than a luxury item means that there should be wider access to and distribution of knowledge, tools, and benefits to help developing countries catch up to the extent that they are behind.
This is a part of India’s overall vision for technology as infrastructure.
Where the summit is happening
The main venue for the AI Impact Summit 2026 is Bharat Mandapam, a large convention and exhibition complex in the capital. This is where the main plenary sessions and the AI Impact Expo will take place.
Other sessions are spread across:
- Sushma Swaraj Bhawan
- Vigyan Bhawan
- Dr. Ambedkar Bhawan
The venues will host over 500 individual events and will be one of the largest AI gatherings to date in India.
The India AI Impact Expo
Running alongside the summit is the India AI Impact Expo 2026. This is not a typical trade fair. The expo is focusing on real-life application rather than product launches of new AI technologies.
There will be over 840 exhibitors, including startups, research labs, technology companies, and national representation from many countries participating. The expo is organised into seven thematic zones, called Chakras:
- Health
- Agriculture
- Safe and Trusted AI
- Science
- Inclusion
- Democratising AI Resources
- Economic Development
Each zone will demonstrate how AI is used in everyday use cases including crop prediction, precision irrigation, legal research tools, and accessible technology to assist people with disabilities.
What happens each day
- February 16th, will feature keynote speaker events, discussions on policies regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and roundtable sessions with experts. In addition to these activities, we will officially open our AI Impact Expo.
- February 17th will feature additional panel discussions and the debut of Knowledge Compendiums. These casebooks document how AI is being used to improve health, energy, education, agriculture, gender empowerment, and disability inclusion.
- February 18th will focus on AI-led research from academic institutions and think tanks, along with the final presentations by shortlisted teams in the AI by HER Global Impact Challenge.
- February 19th will be the most high-profile day of the conference, with the official opening of the Leaders’ Summit by Narendra Modi at an invitation-only ceremony, followed by a Leaders’ Plenary and CEO Roundtable.
- February 20th is about governance. Members of the Global Partnership on AI meet to align on responsible AI priorities. A Leaders’ Declaration is expected, with India pushing for a trusted AI commons and stronger global cooperation.
Who is attending
The guest list illustrates why the summit is attracting global interest.
Representatives of the tech world are confirmed to attend such as Sundar Pichai, Demis Hassabis and Brad Smith, alongside figures from Qualcomm, Mistral AI, Meta and the World Economic Forum.
Participants will include high-level executives from Indian corporations, policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs who create products and services designed using artificial intelligence (AI). This mixture of experiences and backgrounds will provide the opportunity to explore real-world applications of AI as well as real-world decisions that are made regarding AI employment.
Challenges, youth, and future talent
The summit also includes large-scale challenges with prize money running into crores.
- AI for ALL focuses on solutions with national or global impact.
- AI by HER supports women-led AI innovation.
- Through projects such as the YUVAi initiative, young people ages 13-21 have opportunities to create AI solutions to legitimate societal problems.
Additionally, the Indian AI Tinkerpreneur program is being offered at summer coding camps across India for school-age children, further demonstrating India’s desire to develop AI skill sets early and to make innovative thinking available to children.
Why this summit is important for the world
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is not about showing who has the biggest models or the most computing power. It is about showing how AI can be governed, shared, and applied at population scale.
India is using the series of summits that comprise this event as a means of positioning itself as a “bridge” between the technologically advanced nations and less developed countries. It is sending a message that the future evolution of artificial intelligence must include everyone, not just a select group of privileged individuals.
Final thoughts
As the use of technology continues to become an everyday occurrence, conversations regarding issues such as trust, safety, access and accountability have become increasingly important to all stakeholders involved in the AI evolution. The Indian AI Impact Summit 2026 will be an opportunity for various stakeholders to influence the impact of this technology and those who influence it practically and inclusively.
To organisations and communities of interest focused upon issues surrounding protection, responsibility, and long-term value resulting from technology, these concepts are of great importance. Thus, media outlets and other organisations that have thoughtful insights and perspectives concerning these topics, like that of the XtaCover, will play an integral role in telling the larger story of how technology and society move toward one another.
