The India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi will take place from February 16-20, 2026, at the Bharat Mandapam, marking a significant milestone as the first summit in the series to be hosted in a developing economy. This international gathering aims to foster a future where artificial intelligence (AI) delivers transformative impact for humanity, promotes inclusive growth, and advances social development while ensuring sustainable innovations that protect the planet.
The summit, organized in collaboration with techUK, is expected to address various topics centered around the principles of People, Planet, and Progress. Notable figures such as techUK’s Sue Daley OBE, Sabina Ciofu, and Tess Buckley will be present at the event. Attendees are encouraged to inform the techUK team of their participation by contacting [email protected].
Originating from the UK’s Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit in 2023, the series has evolved through significant discussions at subsequent summits in Seoul and France, focusing on innovation, international governance, and the future of work. The 2026 India AI Impact Summit aims to concentrate on the impact of AI, particularly in terms of inclusive development for global majority countries, thus reflecting the maturity of the global AI dialogue.
India’s approach to the summit is anchored in three foundational principles or ‘sutras’: ensuring AI serves humanity’s full diversity (People), prioritizing environmentally sustainable AI development (Planet), and focusing on the equitable distribution of AI benefits (Progress). These principles will inform discussions on fostering human-centered outcomes, leveraging AI for climate resilience, and bridging the digital divide in socio-economic contexts.
Additionally, the summit will feature seven key focus areas or ‘chakras’ that aim to address critical gaps in current AI development. These include the development of global frameworks for equitable AI literacy and workforce transitions (Human Capital), promoting inclusion in AI systems (Inclusion), and democratizing access to governance tools (Safe and Trusted AI). Other focus areas will enhance resilience to energy demands (Resilience), expand responsible AI use in scientific innovation (Science), establish frameworks for equitable access to AI resources (Democratising AI Resources), and identify AI applications for the public good (Social Good).
The pre-summit process has been characterized by extensive public consultation, initiated in June 2025 by IndiaAI and MeitY via MyGov.in, to gather stakeholder input on themes and agenda. A rolling application window also opened in August 2025 for organizations to host events aligned with the summit’s objectives, culminating in a wide range of initiatives aimed at addressing pressing societal challenges through AI solutions.
Throughout the summit, several flagship initiatives will showcase AI’s transformative potential. These include the AI Impact Expo 2026, which will run throughout the summit, and a Research Symposium on AI and its Impact, providing a platform for interdisciplinary research from India and beyond. Other initiatives aim to engage youth and women in technology through various global impact challenges.
The event schedule includes key discussions and showcases over five days, with February 19 particularly designated for leaders’ plenary sessions and CEO roundtables involving heads of state and business leaders. The summit aims to culminate in a Global Partnership on AI council meeting on February 20, providing a platform for high-level dialogues on the future of AI.
Prominent global leaders from technology and civil society, including Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind and Jensen Huang of NVIDIA, are expected to attend, underscoring the summit’s significance in the global context of AI development.
As the summit approaches, its focus on tangible impacts and inclusive development signals a pivotal moment in the global AI discourse, aiming to ensure that the benefits of AI are distributed equitably across diverse communities. This aligns with India’s broader Digital India initiative, which seeks to enhance online infrastructure and connectivity while promoting the INDIAai web portal as a hub for AI developments in the country.
The 2026 India AI Impact Summit presents an opportunity to redefine the narrative around AI, shifting the conversation from technical challenges to the meaningful impact AI can have on humanity as a whole.
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