The AI Impact Summit has emerged as a major platform shaping global conversations on responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence. Bringing together governments, industry leaders and researchers, the summit underscores the growing recognition that AI will define economic growth, governance and social equity in the coming decades. By hosting the event, India signals its intent to play a leading role in ensuring that AI development benefits not only advanced economies but also emerging and developing nations.
India’s Bid to Shape a Human-Centric AI Future
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, setting a tone of “human-centric progress” rooted in inclusive growth. The gathering, held at Bharat Mandapam through February 20, hosts leaders, policymakers and technology experts from more than 65 countries.
The summit comes at a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming global economies and societies. From healthcare diagnostics to digital governance and precision agriculture, AI applications are expanding across sectors. India’s leadership aims to ensure that these technological advances remain accessible, ethical and aligned with public welfare.
Advancing India’s AI Mission for Inclusive Innovation
A central objective of the summit is to advance India’s AI Mission, which focuses on building domestic capacity while promoting equitable access to technology. India’s digital public infrastructure—such as Aadhaar, UPI and large-scale data platforms—has created a foundation for scaling AI applications across public services.
By convening global stakeholders, the summit seeks to build consensus on AI governance, data sharing and skill development. For India, the emphasis is on ensuring that AI innovation reaches sectors like agriculture, education and healthcare, particularly in underserved regions. This approach reflects a broader strategy to position India as a leader in inclusive digital transformation while also attracting investment and partnerships.
Global Leaders Attending the Summit
The event has drawn an extensive list of global participants. Among those attending are Emmanuel Macron, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and António Guterres. Their presence highlights the summit’s geopolitical significance and India’s growing diplomatic role in shaping technology norms.
More than 600 startups, multinational technology firms and policy institutions are also participating. Working groups are expected to deliberate on economic growth, AI safety, workforce skills, resilience and global cooperation.
Highlights of Modi’s Address
In his inaugural speech, Modi emphasised the need for AI that serves humanity rather than replaces it. He highlighted how AI is already improving healthcare delivery, enabling personalised education, boosting farm productivity and streamlining governance.
The Prime Minister also stressed India’s capacity to scale AI responsibly through its large talent pool and digital infrastructure. He called for global collaboration to ensure ethical standards, prevent misuse and bridge digital divides between developed and developing countries. The theme of “human-centric progress” framed AI as a tool for collective welfare rather than purely commercial gain.
India’s Emerging Role as a Global AI Convenor
The AI Impact Summit signals India’s ambition to shape global AI norms while advancing domestic innovation. By hosting leaders from across continents and sectors, the country is positioning itself as a bridge between technological powerhouses and developing economies.
If the summit yields concrete partnerships and governance frameworks, it could strengthen India’s leadership in the global digital order. More importantly, the focus on inclusive and human-centric AI reflects a broader recognition: the future of artificial intelligence will depend not only on technological breakthroughs but on how equitably they are deployed.
(With agency inputs)
