Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, marking the largest AI gathering in the Global South. The five-day event features top global leaders including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Google’s Sundar Pichai, and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, focusing on AI governance, innovation, and collaboration.
India has taken a historic step in global technology leadership with the inauguration of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the summit is being hailed as the first major AI conference hosted in the Global South, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and academics from over 30 countries.
The summit’s theme, “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” (for the welfare and happiness of all), underscores India’s commitment to responsible and inclusive AI development. PM Modi emphasized that AI must be harnessed to drive innovation while ensuring ethical safeguards, transparency, and equitable access.
Among the headline speakers are Sam Altman (OpenAI), Sundar Pichai (Google), Jensen Huang (Nvidia), and Dario Amodei (Anthropic), alongside Indian industry leaders such as Anand Mahindra and Sridhar Vembu. The summit will feature discussions on AI in governance, healthcare, education, defense, and climate solutions, as well as exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge AI applications.
Analysts view the summit as a watershed moment for India, positioning it as a key player in shaping global AI governance frameworks while also strengthening its domestic innovation ecosystem.
Key Highlights
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Event: India AI Impact Summit 2026, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
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Inauguration: PM Narendra Modi opened the summit on February 16, 2026.
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Theme: Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya – inclusive AI for all.
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Global Leaders: Sam Altman, Sundar Pichai, Jensen Huang, Dario Amodei among top speakers.
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Focus Areas: AI governance, innovation, ethics, and sectoral applications.
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Significance: Largest AI gathering in the Global South, boosting India’s global tech leadership.
Sources: The Hindu – AI Summit Inauguration Highlights; Times of India – Global Tech Leaders at AI Impact Summit; Firstpost – PM Modi’s Address and Summit Agenda; Financial Express – AI Impact Summit Overview