India inaugurated the AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 16 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking the first international AI summit hosted in the Global South. Running through February 20, the five-day event brings together approximately 20 world leaders, ministerial delegations from over 45 countries, global technology CEOs, and AI innovators to discuss artificial intelligence’s role in governance, innovation, and sustainable development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated both the summit and the accompanying India AI Impact Expo, positioning the event under the theme “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” — meaning welfare for all and happiness for all. This philosophy underscores India’s commitment to human-centric AI development that prioritizes inclusive progress over pure technological advancement.
The summit has attracted over 2.5 lakh registrations from India and abroad, with participation from approximately 600 startups and institutions. The accompanying expo spans over 70,000 square meters, featuring more than 300 exhibitors from 30 countries across 10 thematic pavilions. Thirteen countries including Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, and Tajikistan have established dedicated pavilions.
The event features over 500 sessions with more than 3,250 speakers and panelists addressing diverse aspects of AI including innovation, collaboration, responsible use, governance frameworks, and workforce transformation.
