What is the AI Summit 2026?
The AI Impact Summit 2026 commonly called AI Summit Delhi 2026 is a landmark global conference on artificial intelligence being held from 16 to 20 Feb 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It’s part of the IndiaAI Mission under the Government of India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and marks the first time a major global AI summit of this scale is hosted in the Global South.
The summit brings together technologists, business leaders, policymakers, researchers, start-ups and students to explore how AI can transform economies and societies particularly for developing nations like India.
It runs parallel to the India AI Impact Expo 2026 a massive exhibition spread over tens of thousands of square metres where companies and innovators demonstrate real-world applications of AI.
Who All Are Coming in AI Summit ?
The event is drawing hundreds of global leaders from technology, government and industry:
Global Tech CEOs & Founders
Prominent names confirmed to attend include:
Sundar Pichai – CEO of Google(Alphabet)
Sam Altman – CEO of OpenAI
Dario Amodei – CEO,Anthropic
Leaders from Microsoft, Qualcomm, DeepMind, Mastercard and other global tech giants.
Indian Leadership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit and is taking part in key sessions and discussions.
International Participation
Heads of state, ministers from over 30 countries, and delegates from global research institutions are attending to discuss AI governance, safety, and development priorities.
Startups, Innovators & Students
More than 600 startups, research teams and youth innovators are showcasing solutions at the Expo with dedicated challenges that offer prizes and mentorship.
The New Technologies Being Showcased
The AI Summit 2026 isn’t just about speeches — it’s a full-on exhibition of cutting-edge technologies:
Home-grown AI Models
India is launching indigenous models like Param2 (17 billion parameters, multilingual across Indian languages) and other AI systems designed for local use — from healthcare and education to agriculture and governance.
Advanced Robotics
Global firms are demonstrating real-world robotics systems — from industrial and service robots to humanoid prototypes that work in manufacturing and logistics.
Interactive AI Tools
Highlights include:
Google’s AI cricket coach tailored for Indian audiences.
AI systems for climate modelling and weather prediction.
Multilingual AI assistants and enterprise-grade solutions.
Next-Gen Commerce & Security
Mastercard showcased India’s first agentic commerce AI transaction — where AI securely completes purchases on behalf of users.
Telecom players like Airtel displayed AI in secure networks, cloud services and media platforms.
Innovation from Indian Companies
Several Indian tech innovators demonstrated applications such as:
Myblue.ai — AI video compression and CCTV analytics for low bandwidth.
Bidgely — AI-based energy insights to reduce electricity misuse.
UdyogYantra — AI for school nutrition and food quality analysis.
SAHI & BODH — healthcare AI tools to improve diagnostics nationwide.
Global Exhibitions
Country pavilions from Japan, UK, Germany, France and others show how AI is applied in different sectors worldwide.
Why This Summit Matters for India
A New Tech Leadership Role
India is positioning itself as a global AI hub, especially for the Global South, with a focus on inclusive growth, ethical use of AI, and affordable technology solutions.
Launchpad for Innovators
The summit includes:
- AI for ALL global challenge
- AI by HER for women entrepreneurs
- YUVAi youth AI challenge
These competitions encourage Indian talent and reward breakthrough innovations.
Policy & Regulation Dialogues
Delegates are working on international AI governance frameworks that balance innovation with safety, fairness and ethical use.
In Summary
The AI Impact Summit 2026 is more than a tech event it’s India’s declaration that it is ready to influence the future of artificial intelligence on the world stage. With global leaders, innovative technologies, and a rich showcase of home-grown AI solutions, the summit reflects a shift toward real-world impact and inclusive AI development that matters for millions of people.
