Charting a Course for “Welfare for All, Happiness of All”
Feb 16 – 20, 2026 Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is a landmark global event, redefining AI collaboration from the Global South. Spearheaded by MeitY, its philosophy of “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” champions AI for human welfare, inclusive growth, and planet safeguarding.
Vision & Guiding Principles: The Three Sutras
People
Inclusive human development, bridging digital divides, and social equity.
Planet
Environmental sustainability, climate action, and disaster preparedness.
Progress
Productivity-led economic and governance transformation, innovation, and equitable growth.
India’s Leading Role in Global AI
India’s extensive experience with large-scale Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) projects like Aadhaar, UPI, and ONDC provides a unique, development-centric perspective on inclusive technology deployment.
Viewing AI as a “force multiplier,” India champions a democratic and development-focused approach, democratizing AI resources and bridging the global AI divide through significant investments in education, upskilling, and reskilling initiatives.
The summit amplifies the Global South’s voice, fostering tailored AI solutions and securing commitments for inclusive AI development, channeling projected investments of $100–150 billion.
Five-Day Agenda: Feb 16-20, 2026
February 16 (Monday)
Opening keynote addresses, policy discussions, expert roundtables, and inauguration of the India AI Impact Expo 2026.
February 17 (Tuesday)
High-level panel discussions, sectoral dialogues (health, energy, education, agriculture), Knowledge Compendiums launch, and a Seminar on Applied AI.
February 18 (Wednesday)
Focus on research-to-application gap with a Research Symposium and Industry Sessions showcasing scalable AI solutions.
February 19 (Thursday)
Formal Opening Ceremony led by Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi, followed by a high-level CEO Roundtable and Leaders’ Plenary.
February 20 (Friday)
Culmination with GPAI Council Meetings and adoption of the Leaders’ Declaration, outlining a roadmap for global AI governance.
The Seven Chakras of Collaboration
1. Human Capital
Building equitable AI reskilling, education, talent development, and workforce transition.
2. Inclusion for Social Empowerment
Enabling broad participation through shared AI solutions, focusing on accessibility.
3. Safe and Trusted AI
Translating responsible AI principles into governance frameworks, addressing ethics, bias, and transparency.
4. Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency
Addressing environmental challenges of AI, promoting energy-efficient solutions.
5. Science
Accelerating scientific discovery with AI, promoting AI-driven research, and correcting data access inequities.
6. Democratizing AI Resources
Ensuring equitable access to computing power, datasets, and open-source tools.
7. AI for Economic Growth & Social Good
Exploring inclusive growth through high-impact AI use cases and ensuring fair sharing of economic benefits.
India AI Impact Expo 2026
Showcase of Responsible Intelligence: Featuring over 300 exhibitors from India and 30+ countries across 10 thematic pavilions.
Expected to attract 150,000 visitors, demonstrating AI’s transition from research to large-scale deployment in healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, and more.
Global Impact Challenges
AI for All
Identifies leading AI solutions addressing societal needs, in partnership with Startup India and DPIIT.
AI by HER
Promotes women-led AI solutions with social impact, in partnership with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform.
YUVAi
Encourages youth (13-21 years) to develop AI-enabled solutions for social good.
Registration for these challenges closed on November 30, 2025.
Anticipated Outcomes & Global Leadership
- Strengthened governance and regulatory frameworks for responsible AI.
- Assessment and enhancement of regional preparedness for AI-led industrial growth.
- Actionable plans for AI education, upskilling, and reskilling.
- Increased public awareness and understanding of AI’s societal benefits.
- Fostering sustained partnerships among governments, academia, industry, startups, and civil society.
- Solidifying India’s role as a global AI hub, especially for the Global South.
- Translating high-level dialogues into tangible projects aligned with the IndiaAI mission and Digital India vision.
- Advancing practical, people-centric AI frameworks on an international scale.
- Implementing initiatives to democratize AI resources and bridge the global AI divide.
- Promoting widespread and responsible AI adoption for inclusive growth.
- Cultivating a global commitment to fair, transparent, and accountable AI systems.
- Identifying region-specific AI use cases tailored to local needs.
- Confirmed participation from over 100 CEOs, including Sundar Pichai, Jensen Huang, Demis Hassabis, and Mukesh Ambani.
- Anticipates close to 150,000 participants.
Conclusion
The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is a collaborative endeavor and a blueprint for a future where AI drives collective human progress. Anchored in “Welfare for All, Happiness of All” and the Sutras of People, Planet, and Progress, India is charting a course for responsible, inclusive, and impactful AI development. As the first global AI summit in the Global South, it promises to be a transformative event, solidifying India’s leadership and ensuring AI’s benefits are accessible to everyone
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