India's AI Moment: Inside the World's Largest AI Summit

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark event in the global AI calendar. Scheduled to take place from February 16-20 at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, this summit is already generating tremendous buzz, with over 35,000 registrations and delegates from more than 100 countries expected to attend. This makes it the largest AI summit hosted globally to date.

India's growing prominence in the AI landscape is evident through the significant developments announced by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY). The government has revealed that investments in India's AI infrastructure have already reached $70 billion, with projections indicating this figure could double by the end of the summit. This level of investment underscores India's commitment to becoming a global leader in AI technology and deployment.

The summit will showcase over 200 sector-specific AI models, reflecting the diversity and innovation within India's AI ecosystem. Major global tech players including Jio, Qualcomm, OpenAI, Nvidia, Google, Microsoft, Adobe, and the Gates Foundation are actively involved, either as exhibitors or partners. This collaboration between Indian institutions and international giants is a strong indicator of the country's rising influence in the AI domain.

Key themes of the summit revolve around the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress,' emphasizing a sustainable and inclusive approach to AI development. The summit's agenda, 'The Impact Agenda: Leadership Reflections,' incorporates insights from around 60 industry leaders on responsible AI innovation and deployment.

Over 500 events will be organized during the summit, accompanied by an AI Impact Expo featuring over 840 exhibitors. Attendees will include 15 Heads of State or Government, over 40 ministers, and more than 100 CEOs and senior leaders. This high-level participation highlights the summit's significance in shaping the future of AI policy and implementation on a global scale.

The India AI Impact Summit isn't just a technology showcase; it's a strategic move by India to position itself as a leader in ethical and inclusive AI deployment. As the world watches, this summit could very well redefine how AI impacts societies, economies, and governance structures globally.

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