Global Leaders Gather in New Delhi as India Hosts AI Impact Summit 2026

Hindustan Times

India AI Impact Summit 2026

India has begun hosting the AI Impact Summit 2026, a landmark international conference on artificial intelligence, bringing together government leaders, CEOs of major tech companies and innovators from around the world. The five-day event, running from 16–20 February at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, aims to shape the future of AI policy, innovation and ethical deployment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the summit with a call for global cooperation in harnessing AI’s potential for inclusive growth, saying the gathering reflects India’s role in advancing technology for societal benefit. The summit is being billed as the first major AI forum to be held in the Global South, underscoring India’s ambition to act as a bridge between wealthy and developing economies on AI issues.

Delegations from dozens of countries are attending, including heads of state and top executives from leading technology firms such as Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and Qualcomm. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman used the platform to highlight India’s growing contribution to AI innovation and its potential to play a central role in shaping global AI development.

A key theme of the summit is responsible and human-centred AI. Sessions and discussions will cover areas such as AI safety, governance, ethics, data protection and equitable access to AI tools. Over 700 sessions are scheduled, along with a major exhibition showcasing AI applications across sectors.

In a bid to make digital technologies more accessible to international visitors, the National Payments Corporation of India has extended its “UPI One World” digital wallet service to attendees from more than 40 countries, allowing seamless digital payments during the event.

The summit’s public livestream and global coverage have drawn significant attention, with observers noting the event’s potential to influence AI policy at a time when countries are racing to develop regulations and standards for emerging technologies.

Organisers say that, while the summit is not expected to produce legally binding agreements, it is likely to conclude with a broad declaration on AI principles and strengthen international dialogue on using AI for social and economic development.

Sources: The Times of India, Indica News, and The Sunday Guardian



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