PC: ( France 24, Nikkei Asia )
PM Modi Launches Landmark Al Summit in the Global South
New Delhi, February 17, 2026 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the highly anticipated India Al Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Monday, February 16, marking a pivotal moment as India hosts the first major international Al summit in the Global South.
“Ambition with Responsibility” – Modi’s Vision for Al Leadership
In his address, PM Modi emphasized India’s dual focus on ambition and responsibility in the Al revolution. He highlighted the nation’s commitment to shaping Al solutions not only for India but for the entire world, blending cutting-edge innovation with inclusive growth.
Prime Minister Connects Directly with India’s Al Startups
The Prime Minister toured exhibition pavilions, engaging directly with founders from numerous Indian startups to explore their Al product offerings and discuss technological advancements driving sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance.
Massive Expo Showcases 600+ Startups and Global Pavilions
The summit, running from February 16 to 20, features an accompanying expo that opened to the public on February 17. It boasts an impressive lineup: over 600 high-potential startups, 300 exhibitors, and pavilions from 13 countries including Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy.
Spanning more than 7,000 square meters across 10 arenas, the event is expected to attract massive crowds, international delegates, investors, and policymakers.
Unprecedented Global Turnout: 100 Countries, 20
World Leaders
Global participation is at an unprecedented scale, with representatives from around 100 countries, including leaders from about 20 nations. Prominent tech figures such as Sundar Pichai (Google) and Sam Altman (OpenAl) are among the attendees, alongside business leaders like Sunil Bharti Mittal, N. Chandrasekaran, and Bill Gates, as well as senior executives from Microsoft, Amazon, Netflix, and Zoom. The gathering underscores India’s rising stature in global Al governance, research, deployment, and collaboration.
Fourth Edition – Building on Global Legacy
This is the fourth edition of the Al Impact Summit, following previous editions in the United Kingdom, South Korea, and France. The program includes over 3,250 speakers and more than 500 sessions, focusing on actionable outcomes through thematic “chakras” centered on people, planet, and progress.
Core Themes: People, Planet, Progress & Social Good
Key areas of discussion include human capital development, inclusion, trust and resilience in Al systems, scientific advancement, resource management, and Al for social good.
High-Level Dialogues: Tech Titans, Policymakers & Global CEOS
Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attended the inauguration, reinforcing the government’s push for technological innovation, startup ecosystem growth, and responsible Al deployment. Organizers aim to channel global cooperation toward tangible results, with launches of knowledge compendiums on Al’s role in critical sectors and high-impact keynotes, policy panels, and expert roundtables.
India’s Defining Moment in Shaping the Al Future
As India positions itself at the forefront of the Al transformation, the summit serves as a powerful platform uniting world leaders, industry captains, innovators, policymakers, and researchers to deliberate on investment strategies, job creation, ethical governance, and partnerships that drive sustainable progress. With overwhelming interest and active participation, the India Al Impact Summit 2026 not only showcases India’s expanding Al ecosystem but also solidifies its role in steering the future of artificial intelligence toward humanity-centered, inclusive, and impactful outcomes.