Global Leaders Convene
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to international technology leaders and dignitaries for the AI-India Impact Summit 2026, held in New
Delhi. This gathering, which PM Modi inaugurated, underscored India's rapidly growing prominence in the artificial intelligence sector. The Prime Minister expressed profound pride that professionals and innovators from across the globe chose India as the venue, viewing it as a testament to the ingenuity of India's youth and their pivotal contributions to technological advancement. The event signifies a pivotal moment, positioning India as a key player in shaping the global dialogue and direction of AI development. The presence of numerous heads of state, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Spain's President Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon, and Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, among others, highlighted the summit's global significance and India's diplomatic efforts in fostering international cooperation on AI.
AI Expo Showcases Innovation
A central feature of the summit was the AI-India Impact Expo 2026, running from February 16th to February 20th. This expansive expo served as a national platform to demonstrate artificial intelligence in practical applications, unifying policy discussions, cutting-edge innovation, and large-scale implementation strategies. Occupying over 70,000 square meters across 10 distinct arenas, the expo brought together a diverse array of participants. These included prominent global technology corporations, burgeoning startups, leading academic and research institutions, as well as representatives from various Union ministries and state governments. The event provided an immersive experience, offering insights into the multifaceted applications of AI and fostering an environment for collaboration and knowledge exchange among stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
Global Collaboration Hub
The expo further amplified international engagement through 13 dedicated country pavilions, spotlighting collaborative efforts within the global AI ecosystem. Nations such as Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan, and several African countries participated, showcasing their respective AI advancements and research initiatives. Over 300 curated exhibition pavilions and live demonstrations were organized across three thematic zones: 'People,' 'Planet,' and 'Progress.' These thematic areas were designed to illustrate the broad and impactful reach of AI across various societal domains, from enhancing human well-being and addressing environmental challenges to driving economic growth and societal advancement. This setup encouraged a comprehensive understanding of AI's potential to create positive change.
India's AI Ambitions
The Impact Summit itself marked a historic occasion as the first international AI summit held in the Global South, signaling New Delhi's ambitious aspirations to actively shape an inclusive and beneficial future for artificial intelligence globally. As a significant component of the IndiaAI Mission, the summit saw the launch of 12 indigenous foundation models. These advanced AI models were developed by domestic startups and research consortia within India. Critically, these models have been trained using extensive Indian datasets and meticulously customized to cater to the linguistic diversity of the country, supporting all 22 official Indian languages. This initiative underscores India's commitment to developing AI solutions that are not only technologically sophisticated but also culturally relevant and accessible to its vast population.
