New Delhi: The upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026 is set to attract a high-profile gathering of nearly 100 global chief executives and approximately 20 heads of state and ministers from various countries, according to S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY). The summit, organized by the Ministry, will take place over five days from February 16-20 in New Delhi and aims to shift focus from action to AI-led impact on human development, environmental sustainability, and equitable progress worldwide.
Krishnan stated, “The AI summit is an important event. It will be a significant development. We have invited more than 100 countries. So, we are expecting delegations, and at least about 15 to 20 heads of government and ministers, and about 100 international CEOs.” The event seeks to bridge the global AI divide through multilateral actions.
This summit follows a series of significant AI gatherings, including the AI Action Summit co-chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year in Paris. The event was preceded by the AI Seoul Summit 2024 and the AI Safety Summit 2023 held at the UK’s Bletchley Park. During these discussions, 58 countries, including India, France, Australia, Canada, and China, endorsed a joint declaration on “Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet.” This declaration emphasizes overcoming the digital divide, fostering ethical and trustworthy AI, encouraging innovation, and promoting international cooperation and governance. Notably, the U.S. and U.K. declined to sign this declaration.
At the Paris summit, the European Union unveiled substantial investments aimed at supporting AI development. The European Commission launched InvestAI, a €200 billion initiative, which includes €20 billion earmarked for constructing four AI gigafactories designed to train large and complex models. With varied international participation, the outcomes of the India summit are expected to yield actionable insights that strengthen the global dialogue on AI, focusing on its implications for people, the planet, and economic development.
The summit will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi, with discussions planned around several themes including human capital, social empowerment, safe and trusted AI, innovation, resilience, efficiency, democratizing AI resources, and AI’s role in economic growth. As advancements in AI continue to evolve, the disparity in access to resources is becoming increasingly pronounced, with only a select group of countries and top businesses reaping the benefits. This concentration presents a barrier to broader social and economic development.
Experts highlight that the uneven distribution of compute capacity across nations constrains the Global South’s ability to adopt and leverage advanced AI technologies effectively. With this backdrop, India aims to position itself as a leader within the Global South, spearheading AI-centric development initiatives.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 represents a pivotal moment for fostering international collaboration and addressing the pressing challenges posed by AI advancements. As the world grapples with the implications of these technologies, the summit’s outcomes could signal a transformative shift towards more inclusive and sustainable AI practices worldwide.
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