NEW DELHI — In a landmark move aimed at cementing India’s position as a global technology powerhouse, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 today at the Bharat Mandapam.
The summit, which runs from February 16th to 20th, has drawn an unprecedented gathering of over 250,000 attendees, including Silicon Valley CEOs, international policy-makers, and over 3,000 expert speakers. This event marks the first time the prestigious “Impact” series has been hosted in the Global South, highlighting India’s rising influence in the digital age.
A Vision for “Sovereign AI”
During his hour-long keynote address, Prime Minister Modi unveiled a new ₹1,000 crore national initiative focused on “Human-Centric AI.” He emphasized that while the world races for speed, India will lead with “equity and ethics.”
“AI should not just be about algorithms; it must be about aspirations,” the Prime Minister stated. “India is no longer just a consumer of technology; we are the world’s laboratory for AI solutions that can serve the poorest of the poor.”
The Seven “Chakras” of Innovation
The summit floor is divided into seven thematic zones, referred to by organizers as the “Digital Chakras.” These include:
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Agri-Tech: AI-driven crop prediction for 140 million farmers.
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Health-Care: Automated diagnostic tools for rural clinics.
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Linguistic Diversity: Real-time translation for India’s 22 official languages.
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Cyber-Security: Protecting the world’s largest biometric database.
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Smart Cities: AI traffic and energy management.
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Education: Personalized AI tutors for government schools.
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Ethical Governance: Frameworks to prevent AI bias.
Global Collaboration
Industry giants including Google, Microsoft, and NVIDIA have set up massive pavilions. A major highlight of Day 1 was the signing of a Multilateral AI Accord between India and 40 other nations, aimed at sharing open-source AI models to bridge the “digital divide” between developed and developing nations.
As the summit continues, all eyes are on the “Startup Pitch” sessions, where India’s next generation of unicorns is expected to secure record-breaking venture capital funding.
