The India AI Impact Summit 2026, taking place from February 16-20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marks a significant milestone as the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. Expected attendees include major figures such as Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, and Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic. This five-day event aims to unite leaders in the AI sector to discuss critical themes surrounding technology’s impact on society.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to deliver a keynote address during the main plenary session on February 19. Alongside the tech giants, the summit anticipates participation from 15-20 heads of state, over 50 international ministers, and more than 40 CEOs from leading Indian and global companies. Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, highlighted the “phenomenal response” the summit has garnered, emphasizing its importance on the world stage.
Organized around three foundational pillars, referred to as ‘Sutras’—People, Planet, and Progress—the summit also features seven working groups, termed ‘Chakras’. These working groups will address specific domains such as AI safety, skilling, social inclusion, scientific research, sustainable computing, democratizing AI access, and economic growth. With over 700 session proposals submitted, the summit promises to be a vibrant forum for discussion and innovation.
On February 17, the Indian government plans to release the AI Compendium, a comprehensive document detailing case studies of AI applications across various sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education, energy, and gender empowerment. The event will conclude with the GPAI Council meeting on February 20.
India’s strategic position in the AI landscape cannot be overstated. Generating nearly 20 percent of the world’s data, the country boasts the second-largest AI workforce and over 700 million internet users. This combination creates a fertile ground for AI companies, particularly as they face escalating development costs. The nation’s service economy, often dubbed the back-office of the world, presents ample opportunities for customer engagement.
Several AI firms are already laying the groundwork for expansion in India. Anthropic has appointed former Microsoft India managing director Irina Ghose to lead its operations in the country. OpenAI has established a dedicated sales division, while Google collaborates with the government and Physics Wallah to implement AI in educational settings. Notably, India’s 21-year tax holiday for data centers has attracted the attention of companies like Nvidia, indicating a growing interest in the region.
The summit will feature an array of competitions designed to engage various participants. The AI for ALL and AI by HER contests, the latter focusing on women-led innovations, offer top prizes of Rs 2.50 crore each. The YUVAi initiative targets innovators aged 13-21, with awards reaching up to Rs 85 lakh. Additionally, the India AI Tinkerpreneur program aims to inspire school students from Classes 6-12 through a summer boot camp.
Spanning over 70,000 square meters, the India AI Impact Expo is expected to host more than 300 exhibitors from 30 countries, showcasing advancements across seven thematic pavilions. This expo aims to provide a dynamic platform for sharing ideas and technologies that could shape the future of AI.
As the landscape of AI continues to evolve, the India AI Impact Summit 2026 signifies a pivotal moment in global discourse, particularly as it unfolds in a country poised to wield significant influence over the future of technology. The convergence of industry leaders and policymakers is expected to foster collaborations that may redefine the role of AI in addressing societal challenges while promoting sustainable growth.
Nvidia | OpenAI | Google | Anthropic | Microsoft | Government of India
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