Have you ever wondered who gets to set the rules for the “intelligent machines” of the future?
For many years, the world’s greatest questions about artificial intelligence were answered in Silicon Valley, London, or Brussels. But in February 2026, the spotlight shifts to New Delhi.
For five days, from February 16 to 20, 2026, the historic Bharat Mandapam will serve as the global hub for AI governance, innovation, and impact at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
This is no ordinary tech conference with keynote speeches and corporate networking.
This is where the future rules of AI are being written, not just for profit, but for people and the planet.
If you are interested in how AI will impact your work, education, healthcare, agriculture, or even climate change, this summit is for you.
Let’s get into the details.
What Is the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is the first major global AI conference in the Global South with a new narrative:
Not just AI safety.
Not just AI innovation.
But AI has an impact.
📍 When:
February 16-20, 2026
📍 Where:
Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
📍 Core Theme:
“Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya”
(Welfare for All, Happiness for All)
Unlike previous global AI summits that were mainly about risk management and regulation, India’s AI summit asks a more pragmatic question: How can AI make a difference in people’s lives?
From small farmers to entrepreneurs, from students to scientists, the focus is on inclusivity.
The Master Framework: 3 Sutras and 7 Chakras
The Indian government has structured the summit around notions that have been developed from their philosophical foundations, a combination of ancient knowledge and modern technology.
The Three Sutras
People
AI must be people-centric, with respect to human dignity, culture, and ethics.
This includes reducing bias, being transparent, and making AI systems accountable.
Planet
AI development must be planet-friendly.
Since massive data centers are massive energy consumers globally, “Green AI” focuses on reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency.
Progress
AI must trigger economic progress, but inclusive progress, not only for a few corporations or countries.
These three tenets of AI development set the ethics of AI development.
The Seven Chakras (Action Areas)
These are the implementation areas where policies, partnerships, and commitments are discussed and decided.
Human Capital
Upskilling and reskilling the Indian workforce for AI-driven jobs on a massive scale.
Inclusion for Social Empowerment
Ensuring that women, rural communities, farmers, and persons with disabilities benefit from AI development.
Safe & Trusted AI
Developing mechanisms to reduce bias, enhance explainability, and improve transparency.
Science
Using AI to unlock scientific breakthroughs in climate science, drug discovery, genomics, and public health.
Resilience, Innovation & Efficiency
Developing energy-efficient computing infrastructure and AI ecosystems.
Democratizing AI Resources
Enabling startups and scientists, and not just tech companies, to access compute resources and data.
AI for Economic Development & Social Good
Applying AI in healthcare diagnosis, agriculture, education, and governance.
This structure allows the discussion to move from theory to practice.
Who’s Attending?
This summit is attended by the world’s power centers.
🇮🇳 Government Leadership
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is launching the summit along with several heads of state.
🌍 Global Tech Leaders
Sundar Pichai (CEO, Google)
Sam Altman (CEO, OpenAI)
Jensen Huang (CEO, NVIDIA)
🧠 AI Researchers
Yoshua Bengio
Yann LeCun
This is a level of engagement that is more like an “AI Olympics.”
Success Story Spotlight: AI by HER
One of the most interesting projects under the aegis of this summit is AI by HER, which is a challenge that highlights women-led AI startups.
The winning solution was based on satellite imagery and machine learning to predict water shortages weeks in advance. However, the most interesting part was not just the prediction.
It was the ability to translate complex satellite imagery into simple voice messages in local languages that empowered rural women farmers to protect their crops.
This is an important proof of something important:
The impact of AI is not about complexity.
It is about accessibility.
The India AI Impact Expo
The summit also has a massive expo with 300+ exhibitors.
What to expect:
- AI that translates local dialects in real-time
- Diagnostic AI that helps doctors in rural areas
- Climate modeling tools
- Agricultural intelligence platforms
This is where policy meets prototype.
Innovation Challenges
To encourage grassroots innovation, the summit has major competitions:
- AI for ALL
- AI by HER
- YUVAi (for youth aged 13-21)
The prize pool can go up to ₹2.5 crores, encouraging students, startups, and researchers to develop scalable AI solutions.
All winners will be recorded in an official AI Innovation Compendium.
Why India Is Hosting This Now
India is currently implementing the IndiaAI Mission, which has been supported by ₹10,370 crores of funding.
With:
- One of the largest developer bases in the world
- A rapidly developing AI startup ecosystem
- An ever-expanding digital infrastructure
India is now setting itself up as a leader in the development of responsible and inclusive AI, particularly for the Global South.
Why This Summit Matters to You
If you are:
- A student getting ready for an AI-enabled job market
- A startup founder working on AI solutions
- A policymaker thinking about regulation
- Or just a curious citizen
The frameworks and commitments that will be formed here will have an impact on:
- AI governance frameworks
- Investment patterns
- Education policies
- Startup ecosystems
- Global collaboration frameworks
This is not a local event.
It is a global signal.
Final Thoughts
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is a change in power and perspective.
The AI dialogue is no longer limited to Western tech capitals.
It is expanding to include diverse realities, new economies, and inclusive growth.
Technology must not only be smart.
It must be responsible.
It should be sustainable.
And most importantly, it should be for humanity.
The decisions that will be made in New Delhi this week could shape the future of AI over the next decade.
The real question now is:
What problem would you like AI to solve for India?
Let us know because the future of AI should be collaborative, not predetermined.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is a global AI governance and innovation summit focused on inclusive, responsible, and impact-driven artificial intelligence. It brings together policymakers, researchers, startups, and global tech leaders to discuss AI’s future.
2. Where will the summit take place?
The summit will be hosted at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, a premier international convention venue.
3. Who can attend the summit?
Students, startup founders, researchers, industry professionals, government representatives, and media delegates can register. Some high-level policy sessions may be invitation-only.
4. How can I register for the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
Participants must register online through the official portal under the IndiaAI Mission platform. After submitting details and selecting a participation category, approved attendees receive a digital entry pass.
5. Why is the India AI Impact Summit important globally?
The summit represents a shift in AI leadership toward the Global South. It focuses on AI governance, inclusive innovation, sustainable AI infrastructure, and real-world impact across healthcare, agriculture, education, and climate technology.