NEW DELHI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, emphasizing that “intelligence, rationality, and decision-making” are the cornerstones for making technology useful to the masses. As the first global AI gathering hosted in the Global South, the summit brought together over 20 Heads of State, 60 Ministers, and 500 global AI leaders to discuss how artificial intelligence can be harnessed for the public good. The Prime Minister, accompanied by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, explored the India AI Impact Expo, which spans 70,000 square meters and features more than 600 startups. He noted that the event offers a glimpse into India’s extraordinary potential to shape AI solutions not just for the nation, but for the entire world.
Experts at the summit, including USISPF President Mukesh Aghi, highlighted India’s strategic lead in making AI affordable, scalable, and accessible. With one of the world’s largest structured databases and a robust digital public infrastructure, India is positioning itself as a model for the Global South by bridging the gap between high-tech innovation and grassroots impact. The summit, anchored in the “IndiaAI Mission,” features three flagship Global Impact Challenges—AI for ALL, AI by HER, and YUVAi—aimed at identifying inclusive, development-oriented solutions. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to deliver the formal inaugural address of the summit on February 19, setting a long-term roadmap for responsible and human-centric AI governance.
