The India AI Impact Summit 2026 commenced today at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, marking the beginning of a five-day global dialogue on the future of artificial intelligence. The summit has brought together heads of state, policymakers, technology leaders, researchers, startups and multilateral institutions to deliberate on AI’s growing influence on economies and societies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit, positioning India as a central voice in shaping responsible and inclusive AI frameworks. In his opening remarks, he emphasized that artificial intelligence must be guided by human values, trust and global cooperation. He underlined the need for innovation that benefits humanity at large while safeguarding ethical and governance standards.
Day one focused on setting the broader agenda. Plenary discussions revolved around AI governance, regulatory alignment across nations, digital public infrastructure, skilling for an AI-driven workforce, and the balance between innovation and safeguards. Senior global leaders echoed the urgency of building interoperable standards while ensuring that AI does not widen the digital divide.
Alongside policy conversations, the India AI Impact Expo opened its doors with over 600 startups and multiple country pavilions showcasing AI applications across healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience, education, financial services and public governance. The expo highlighted India’s growing startup ecosystem and its ambition to become a global hub for AI-led innovation.
A notable development on the first day was the operational rollout of expanded digital payment facilities for international delegates, reflecting India’s broader push to demonstrate real-world digital infrastructure capabilities during the summit.
Security and logistical arrangements across central Delhi were heightened to accommodate high-level international participation. Authorities deployed advanced monitoring systems to ensure smooth conduct of proceedings.
The summit will continue until February 20, with thematic sessions scheduled on ethical AI deployment, global AI standards, public-private collaboration, emerging risks, and the economic transformation driven by generative and agentic systems.
With its opening day, the India AI Impact Summit 2026 has positioned itself not merely as a technology conference but as a platform attempting to shape the global discourse on artificial intelligence. The coming days are expected to produce sharper policy positions, partnership announcements and deeper alignment on how nations intend to navigate the AI decade ahead.
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