Global AI Gathering
New Delhi is set to host a groundbreaking event, the India AI Summit 2026, from February 16th to February 20th at Bharat Mandapam. This pivotal summit
is designed to be a central hub for critical dialogues concerning artificial intelligence policy, cutting-edge research, its integration into various industries, and how it can be effectively communicated and utilized by the public. The event promises to draw an impressive roster of international technology leaders and the most influential figures in the field of artificial intelligence, underscoring India's growing importance in steering the trajectory of this transformative technology. The attendance of top executives from virtually every major technology corporation is anticipated, signaling a collective commitment to exploring AI's potential and challenges on a global scale.
Key Speakers Assembled
The summit boasts an extraordinary lineup of industry giants and AI luminaries. Confirmed attendees include Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google; Sam Altman, head of OpenAI; and Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA. They will be joined by other prominent figures such as Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, and its President, Brad Smith. Additionally, Shantanu Narayan, CEO of Adobe; Cristiano Amon, CEO of Qualcomm; and Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, are expected to participate. The forefront of AI innovation will be represented by leaders like Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic; Arthur Mensch, CEO of Mistral AI; and Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind. Further enhancing the summit's intellectual depth, Yann LeCun, former Chief Scientist at Meta and founder of AMI Labs, alongside Yoshua Bengio, both widely recognized as the 'godfathers of AI,' will also lend their expertise.
India's AI Vision
Alongside the international delegation, prominent Indian business leaders will also grace the summit. This includes Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries; N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons; Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys; and Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises. The leadership from major Indian IT firms will also be present, with K. Krithivasan, CEO of TCS; Salil Parekh, CEO of Infosys; and Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCLTech, scheduled to attend. The Indian government has articulated that the AI summit's core objective is to translate global discussions about AI into tangible 'development outcomes aligned with national priorities under the IndiaAI mission and Digital India Initiative.' This focus emphasizes leveraging AI for the nation's progress and technological self-reliance.
AI for Societal Progress
The summit's agenda is set to cover a wide spectrum of AI applications and implications. Discussions will delve into the deployment of AI across critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, governance, and public service delivery. Beyond these immediate applications, a significant emphasis will be placed on nurturing human capital by developing AI expertise within the country. The summit will also explore strategies for inclusion, ensuring that AI's benefits reach all segments of society and empower marginalized communities. Furthermore, the democratisation of AI resources to make advanced tools accessible to a broader range of researchers and developers, and harnessing AI as a catalyst for economic growth and scientific advancement will be key talking points.
