India AI Impact Summit 2026, New Delhi

 🌐 India AI Impact Summit 2026 — Day 2 Update from Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi has taken the global tech and policy world by storm. Organised from February 16–20 at Bharat Mandapam, the summit represents one of the largest international gatherings focused on the future of artificial intelligence, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, innovators, and thousands of tech enthusiasts from over 100 countries.

🚀 A Grand Inauguration and Global Participation

The summit’s first day saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurate the AI Impact Expo, highlighting India’s emergence as a major AI hub ready to drive innovation and global collaboration. More than 600 startups participated, showcasing real-world AI applications across sectors. Heavy attendance led to long queues and logistical delays at entry points — a testament to the massive public interest.

What makes this event especially significant is its truly global nature — 20 prime ministers and presidents are participating, including leaders like President Emmanuel Macron of France, Pedro Sánchez of Spain, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil. Delegates from governments, tech companies, and research communities are engaging in discussions that span policy, ethics, innovation, and equity in AI.

This summit also marks a historic moment as one of the first major AI conferences hosted in the Global South, positioning India as a key voice in shaping how AI is used for development and societal benefit worldwide.

🤝 Summit Goals and Themes

The summit is anchored in three guiding principles — known as the “Sutras”:

People, Planet, and Progress. These principles frame discussions around AI that is ethical, inclusive, environmentally responsible, and socially beneficial.

Alongside the main summit discussions, the AI Impact Expo spans well over 70,000 m² and features 13 country pavilions from nations like France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and Australia, each highlighting AI innovations and collaborations.

🏥 New Healthcare AI Initiatives

A major highlight on Day 2 involves Union Health Minister JP Nadda launching two flagship programs focused on AI in healthcare:

SAHI (Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India) — designed to accelerate AI adoption in public health.

BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI) — aimed at standardising health data to improve AI solutions.

These initiatives have been widely discussed as critical steps toward making AI safer and more effective in healthcare delivery across India.

💬 Key Conversations and Debates

The Summit isn’t just about celebration — it’s also a forum for critical reflection. Thought leaders like Amitabh Kant underscored the risks of AI exacerbating inequality if not implemented responsibly, reminding participants that inclusive growth must stay at the core of all innovation.

Panels and workshops throughout the event are covering AI governance frameworks, scalable innovation, social equity, economic growth, and responsible AI deployment. Discussions today focus heavily on making AI solutions impactful for rural livelihoods, national security, education, and ethical uses of technology.

📌 What’s Next?

With hundreds of sessions yet to unfold, the summit will continue to spotlight global cooperation, ethics in AI, and real-world applications that can transform economies and societies. The remaining days are expected to include deeper policy dialogues, bilateral meetings among world leaders, and landmark declarations on AI governance.

In summary: The India AI Impact Summit 2026 has quickly become more than just a conference — it’s a global stage where nations are negotiating the future of AI, exploring how technology can serve humanity responsibly, and showcasing innovations that could define the next decade of progress