AI's Research Frontier
The third day of the AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, was dedicated to showcasing the vanguard of artificial intelligence research
and its practical applications. A specialized research symposium convened leading academic minds, diligent researchers, and forward-thinking think tanks. These experts presented their latest studies, introduced novel methodologies for AI development, and offered policy recommendations grounded in empirical evidence. This academic focus ran parallel to dedicated industry sessions, where influential figures from global technology corporations, emerging startups, and significant sector players demonstrated AI solutions designed for scalability. They also showcased live deployments and innovations poised to meet the challenges of the future, underscoring the summit's dual commitment to theoretical advancement and tangible implementation.
Global Leadership Convergence
This landmark AI Impact Summit, making its debut in India, has attracted an unprecedented level of international participation, with over 100 countries represented. The summit's prestige is further highlighted by the presence of 15 to 20 heads of government, more than 50 ministers, and a distinguished assembly of over 40 global and Indian chief executive officers. Among the prominent industry figures expected to share their visions are OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, and Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani. This convergence of top-tier talent signifies the global significance of the discussions and decisions being made at the summit, positioning India as a central hub for future AI strategy.
Policy and Industry Synergies
Looking ahead, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to officially inaugurate the primary two-day segment of the AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19th. His participation is also anticipated at a CEO roundtable, signaling the importance of dialogue between governmental policy and industry leadership. The summit builds upon a strong foundation of international AI collaboration, drawing inspiration from last year's AI Action Summit in Paris, which was co-chaired by PM Modi, as well as earlier engagements in Seoul in 2024 and the inaugural event at Bletchley Park in 2023. This historical context emphasizes a sustained global effort to address and harness the potential of artificial intelligence.
A Comprehensive AI Ecosystem
The entire week-long AI Impact Summit 2026 is designed as a multifaceted platform, featuring an extensive program of over 500 individual sessions. Beyond the discussions and keynotes, the event doubles as a major AI trade expo, hosting an impressive roster of over 840 exhibitors. This diverse group includes national delegations showcasing their advancements, leading technology companies, innovative startups, and cutting-edge research laboratories. The sheer scale and breadth of participation make this gathering one of the most comprehensive global forums dedicated to exploring, developing, and regulating artificial intelligence, offering a complete overview of the current AI landscape and its future trajectory.
