New Delhi, Feb 16 : The AI Impact Summit 2026 will be inaugurated in the national capital on Monday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to launch the India AI Impact Expo at Bharat Mandapam. The five day gathering, running until February 20, is drawing delegates from over 100 countries, underscoring India’s growing role in shaping the global artificial intelligence agenda.
Global participation and scale
The AI Impact Summit 2026 will feature more than 3,000 speakers across 500+ sessions, bringing together cabinet ministers, technology executives, researchers and startup founders under one roof. The discussions are structured around the themes of People, Planet and Progress, focusing on AI-driven solutions for social development, sustainability and economic expansion.
Prominent international figures expected at the event include Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang will not attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
The Expo spans 10 arenas across 70,000 square metres, showcasing innovations from over 600 startups and 13 country pavilions representing nations such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia, among others. Organisers anticipate attendance exceeding 2.5 lakh visitors during the summit.
Focus on inclusive and responsible AI
Officials associated with the AI Impact Summit 2026 have emphasised India’s push for responsible innovation and equitable access to emerging technologies. Demonstrations at the Expo are expected to highlight AI applications in healthcare, agriculture, governance, climate resilience and digital infrastructure.
On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. A leaders’ roundtable and interactions with global technology CEOs are also planned.
With sustained investments in digital public infrastructure, semiconductors and advanced computing, the summit provides a platform for India to project itself as both a major digital economy and a contributor to global norms governing artificial intelligence.