Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo on Monday, engaging with numerous startups showcasing their innovations in the field of artificial intelligence. The expo features over 600 high-potential startups and represents 13 country pavilions, emphasizing international collaboration within the AI ecosystem.
This event precedes the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from February 16 to 20. This summit is poised to gather political leaders, technology executives, policymakers, and researchers from around the globe to facilitate discussions on international cooperation regarding AI.
During the summit, participants can expect a range of activities, including plenary leadership sessions, closed-door policy roundtables, and sector-specific AI showcases. The Indian government has positioned the event as a platform aimed at aligning AI innovation with broader social equity, sustainability, and development priorities.
At PM Modi’s invitation, leaders from 20 countries are anticipated to attend. Notable figures expected include Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Estonian President Alar Karis, among others. Additional prime ministers from nations such as Bhutan, Croatia, and Finland will also be in attendance.
Furthermore, vice presidents from Bolivia, Guyana, and Seychelles are scheduled to participate, alongside UAE Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Liechtenstein’s Hereditary Prince Alois. Ministerial delegations from over 45 countries, as well as senior officials from global institutions, will enhance the event’s stature.
It is projected that the summit will host more than 35,000 registered participants from over 100 countries, making it one of the largest gatherings focused on AI policy worldwide. This significant turnout underscores the growing importance of AI in shaping future economic and social landscapes.
The India-AI Impact Summit has partnered with DigiYatra to streamline digital access, allowing registered visitors to utilize the platform for entry to both the Expo and Mandapam. Additionally, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is collaborating with international credit card networks to facilitate smooth payment transactions for foreign delegates, thus easing financial interactions without the need for local bank accounts.
The government views this summit as a critical opportunity to lead global discourse on AI while also ensuring that technological advancements serve the greater good of society. As nations increasingly recognize the transformative potential of AI technologies, the dialogues and collaborations fostered during this week are likely to have far-reaching implications.
For more detailed information, refer to the official coverage of the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 and updates from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
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