New Delhi: India’s preparations are well under way for the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, a landmark event that signals the country’s rising influence in global conversations on Artificial Intelligence. Scheduled from 16–20 February 2026 in New Delhi, the summit marks the first time the global AI summit series will be hosted in the Global South — a clear indicator of the world’s growing confidence in India’s role as a thought leader in emerging technologies.
Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of democratising technology, the government continues to steer AI development with a practical and inclusive approach. The emphasis remains on using AI to solve real, everyday problems and to improve lives across sectors — from healthcare and agriculture to governance and beyond.
India’s AI strategy, shaped through extensive global research and wide-ranging stakeholder consultations, revolves around a balanced techno-legal framework. Rather than rushing into hard regulations, the focus is on building a long-term foundation for safe, responsible and people-centric AI governance.
At the heart of the upcoming summit are the seven thematic pillars — or ‘Chakras’ — which anchor the event’s agenda. These include Human Capital, Inclusion, Safe & Trusted AI, Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency, Democratising AI Resources, and AI for Economic Development and Social Good. Together, they cover critical issues such as AI safety, data governance, transparency, human-centred growth and accountability.
The summit also builds on India’s active participation in global forums, following major events such as the UK AI Safety Summit, the AI Seoul Summit, the Paris AI Action Summit (co-chaired by India), and the Global AI Summit on Africa. This continuity reinforces India’s commitment to fostering global cooperation for responsible AI.
Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada shared the details in the Lok Sabha on 3 December 2025, highlighting that the summit aims to produce actionable, long-term recommendations instead of immediate binding rules.