India is preparing to host the India AI Impact Summit 2026, a significant international event focused on artificial intelligence (AI) scheduled for February 16 to 20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This summit is notable as it will be the first large-scale international AI summit held in the Global South, setting a precedent for future gatherings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the summit during a previous AI meeting in France. Unlike earlier global discussions held in countries such as the UK, South Korea, and France, which primarily focused on safety regulations and broad agendas, this summit aims to showcase tangible results. The event will emphasize how AI can create positive societal impacts, enhance environmental sustainability, and foster economic growth. The summit is built around three core principles, referred to as “Sutras”: prioritizing people, promoting environmental integrity, and driving progress through technology.
The primary message of the summit is to transition from discussions about AI to practical applications that address real-world issues. Interest in the event is high, with over 35,000 registrations already recorded. Organizers anticipate participation from at least 15 heads of government, more than 50 ministers, over 500 top AI experts and corporate leaders, along with numerous startups. The summit will feature around 500 sessions dedicated to practical AI applications across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, climate action, and public services.
A major highlight will be the India AI Impact Expo, which will run throughout the summit, showcasing over 300–400 exhibitors from India and more than 30 countries. The expo is expected to attract over 150,000 visitors, providing a platform for attendees to see practical AI implementations. Additionally, the summit will host three global competitions: “AI for All,” “AI by Her,” aimed at empowering women, and “YUVAi,” targeting youth aged 13–21. A special research meeting will also focus on innovative ideas stemming from the Global South.
This summit aligns with India’s ongoing initiatives in the AI sector, particularly the India AI Mission, launched in March 2024 under the motto “Make AI in India and Make AI Work for India.” The mission has made significant strides, including ramping up compute power to over 38,000 high-end GPUs—one of the most cost-effective rates globally at just ₹65 (less than $1) per hour. Other achievements include the establishment of AI Kosh, a national repository housing over 5,500 datasets and 251 AI models across diverse fields.
India is also fostering the development of home-grown AI models, such as those from Sarvam AI and Bharat Gen, which support 22 Indian languages. The Bhashini translation tool has seen over 1 million downloads, facilitating real-time speech and text translation in more than 20 languages. Additionally, there are more than 30 government-approved AI applications currently enhancing daily services.
The AI landscape in India is rapidly evolving, with projections suggesting that the tech industry could generate $280 billion in revenue by 2025 and create over 6 million jobs. More than 1,800 global company centers operate in India, with over 500 focused on AI. India ranks third in overall AI capabilities, among the top four globally for talent and regulations, and second in contributions to open AI code on GitHub. Government initiatives are embedding AI into everyday life, ensuring equitable access for various demographics, including women, youth, rural communities, and individuals with disabilities.
As the summit approaches, the anticipated outcomes could have far-reaching implications, with AI projected to contribute an estimated $1.7 trillion to India’s economy by 2035. This focus on the planet will also promote environmentally friendly AI practices and climate solutions. For developing nations like Tajikistan, the summit offers opportunities to cultivate AI technologies tailored to local languages and needs, thereby avoiding reliance on tools designed for other regions.
India is poised to serve as a nexus between technology giants and emerging economies, facilitating access to affordable computing resources, data sharing, and training. The summit is expected to inspire new collaborations, joint ventures, and frameworks aimed at ensuring the equitable distribution of AI benefits. As India strives toward its vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047 (Viksit Bharat), the overarching message remains clear: AI must serve humanity. This summit symbolizes a commitment to harnessing technology for the collective good, ensuring sustainable progress for all.
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