World Leaders, Big Tech Titans Land in Delhi for Mega AI Impact Summit 2026
By Vikram Singh
Updated on Feb 17, 2026 | 5 min read | 1.02K+ views
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India has kicked off the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, drawing world leaders, top CEOs and policymakers to the five-day global artificial intelligence event. The summit focuses on ethics, economic impact, AI safety, global cooperation and real-world deployment.
New Delhi is hosting one of the world’s most significant AI conferences at Bharat Mandapam, with participants from over 100 countries. Held from February 16–20, the summit brings together heads of state, global tech leaders, innovators, startups, researchers and civil society to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and its societal impact.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate the event, underscoring India’s ambition to guide global AI governance with a focus on “people, planet and progress.”
This summit marks the first time a major AI summit of this scale is held in the Global South, signalling a shift in where the global AI conversation is being shaped.
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Massive Participation and Global Representation
The summit’s scale is huge:
- Over 2.5 lakh visitors and 250,000+ attendees expected across five days.
- Delegations from 100+ countries and 13 international pavilions participating.
- More than 840 exhibitors, ranging from AI startups to national tech hubs.
🌍 World Leaders & Heads of State
The Ministry of External Affairs confirms participation by leaders from around the world:
Heads of State & Government
- Emmanuel Macron – President of France
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – President of Brazil
- Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón – President of Spain
- Guy Parmelin – President of Switzerland
- Tshering Tobgay – Prime Minister of Bhutan
- Olzhas Bektenov – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
- Andrej Plenković – Prime Minister of Croatia
- Petteri Orpo – Prime Minister of Finland
- Kyriakos Mitsotakis – Prime Minister of Greece
🧠 Top Global Tech Leaders
Leading technology executives confirmed or expected to attend include:
AI & Big Tech CEOs
- Sam Altman – CEO, OpenAI
- Sundar Pichai – CEO, Google & Alphabet
- Demis Hassabis – CEO, Google DeepMind
- Dario Amodei – CEO, Anthropic
- Cristiano Amon – CEO, Qualcomm
- Alexandr Wang – Chief AI Officer, Meta
- Nikesh Arora – CEO, Palo Alto Networks
- Shantanu Narayen – CEO, Adobe
Other Tech & Industry Figures
- Bill Gates – Co-founder, Microsoft (expected)
- Raj Subramaniam – CEO, FedEx (confirmed)
- Matthew Prince – Co-Founder & CEO, Cloudflare
- Borje Ekholm – CEO, Ericsson Group
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Summit Themes: From Ethics to Economic Impact
The summit isn’t just about keynote speeches — it’s structured around key working themes designed to generate actionable outcomes:
🔹 Responsible AI and Ethics
Discussions emphasise AI safety, bias mitigation, ethical deployment, and frameworks to protect people and communities. Global delegates are exploring how to build trustworthy AI systems.
🔹 Global AI Governance
India aims to craft a shared roadmap for governance cooperation that helps developing and developed nations work together. The summit supports frameworks that prevent misuse and ensure equitable access.
🔹 Real-World Deals and Deployment
Contrary to summits that focus only on principles, Delhi’s agenda prioritises actual AI implementation, including partnerships to expand AI use in healthcare, agriculture, education, climate tech and government services.
🔹 Inclusive Innovation
Summit sessions emphasise making AI accessible beyond elite institutions — ensuring local innovators, startups, and smaller economies benefit from the technology.
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India’s Strategic AI Push
Prime Minister Modi framed the summit as a platform where India can contribute to shaping a global AI ecosystem that serves human well-being and economic growth. He called AI a transformation tool for sectors like healthcare, agriculture and education, and highlighted India’s digital infrastructure and vast talent base as strategic advantages.
AI experts and policymakers at the summit stressed that India is uniquely positioned to bridge developed and developing world interests in AI policy and practice.
India’s Chief Economic Advisor emphasised aligning AI adoption with employment and skill development, viewing AI not as a threat to jobs but as a catalyst for new opportunities.
Live Panels and Key Initiatives
Several high-impact discussions are unfolding simultaneously:
🌐 International Collaboration
Ministers and policymakers urged stronger ties on AI research, open standards, and cross-border cooperation to avoid fragmentation and ethical missteps.
👩🏫 Education and AI
Union Minister Jitin Prasada warned against replacing teachers with AI and stressed cautious integration to enhance learning without eroding core human skills.
💳 NPCI Expands Digital Payments for Foreign Delegates
The National Payments Corporation of India extended its UPI One World wallet service to international visitors, allowing seamless digital payment experiences during the summit.
👥 Youth and Skills
The youth-focused YUVAi challenge encourages young innovators to engage with AI, fostering home-grown talent and responsible usage.
Challenges Under Discussion
While the summit celebrates AI’s promise, leaders are also tackling complex challenges such as:
- AI’s impact on jobs and economic disruption.
- Safety risks, including child protection online and misinformation.
- Ethical deployment in sensitive sectors where lives are at stake.
These debates aim to balance innovation with caution so that AI benefits society while avoiding harm.
Summit Logistics and Public Impact
Hosting an event of this scale has affected city life:
- Delhi police issued traffic advisories and diversions to manage crowds and dignitary routes.
- A large security apparatus including AI-enabled cameras and monitoring systems is deployed to safeguard attendees.
- Special community protocols such as traditional Indian welcome ceremonies were organised for international delegates.
Conclusion
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is evolving into more than just a conference — it’s a global platform where nations, industries and civil society are defining the future of artificial intelligence together. With a strong focus on ethics, real-world implementation, international cooperation and inclusive innovation, the summit positions India at the centre of global AI discourse and showcases how technology can be steered for human good.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on AI Impact Summit 2026
1. What is the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is a global artificial intelligence conference hosted in New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam. It brings together world leaders, technology CEOs, policymakers and researchers to discuss responsible AI, global governance, innovation partnerships and real-world deployment strategies.
2. Who inaugurated the AI Impact Summit 2026?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit and addressed global delegates. He emphasised ethical AI development, international cooperation and India’s ambition to build AI solutions that serve economic growth, public services and inclusive digital transformation.
3. Where is the AI Impact Summit being held?
The summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi’s premier international convention and exhibition centre. The venue hosts high-level diplomatic events and global expos, making it suitable for a large-scale international AI gathering.
4. Which global leaders attended the summit?
The summit attracted heads of state, senior ministers and representatives from over 100 countries. Political leaders from Europe, Latin America and Asia joined industry executives to discuss cross-border AI standards and policy alignment.
5. Which tech CEOs are participating in the summit?
Top global tech executives, including leaders from OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia and other AI-focused companies, participated in keynote sessions and panel discussions focused on AI innovation, safety frameworks and enterprise adoption.
6. What are the main themes of the AI Impact Summit?
The summit focuses on responsible AI, ethical governance, economic impact, startup ecosystems, cross-border collaboration, infrastructure development and AI deployment in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education and public administration.
7. Why is this summit important for India?
The summit positions India as a major voice in shaping global AI governance. It helps attract technology investments, strengthen startup ecosystems, build AI talent and establish India as a bridge between developed and developing economies in AI policy.
8. Did the summit announce any major AI deals?
Government officials and industry leaders discussed real AI partnerships, infrastructure expansion and enterprise collaborations. The summit prioritised practical outcomes over symbolic declarations, focusing on investment pipelines and implementation roadmaps.
9. How will AI Impact Summit 2026 benefit startups?
The summit creates networking and funding opportunities for Indian AI startups. Founders can connect with global investors, corporate leaders and policymakers, increasing visibility and access to strategic partnerships.
10. What role does responsible AI play at the summit?
Responsible AI remains central to discussions. Delegates addressed bias prevention, transparency, data governance, misinformation risks and child safety concerns to ensure AI systems remain trustworthy and socially beneficial.
11. How does the summit address AI’s impact on jobs?
Leaders discussed balancing AI automation with employment growth. Experts highlighted upskilling initiatives, workforce transformation programs and policies designed to create new AI-enabled jobs while minimising disruption.
12. Will India introduce new AI policies after the summit?
The summit may influence future AI regulations and national strategies. Policymakers are using the platform to consult global experts and align India’s AI roadmap with international best practices and domestic priorities.
13. Is the summit open to the public?
While high-level sessions are invite-only, exhibitions and certain expo areas allow broader participation. Industry professionals, startups and researchers can attend designated sessions and networking events.
14. How long will the AI Impact Summit 2026 continue?
The summit runs for multiple days, featuring keynote addresses, thematic panels, closed-door diplomatic meetings, startup showcases and international collaboration sessions throughout its duration.
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Vikram Singh is a seasoned content strategist with over 5 years of experience in simplifying complex technical subjects. Holding a postgraduate degree in Applied Mathematics, he specializes in creatin...
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