AI Impact Summit 2026

Context

• India will host the AI ​​Impact Summit 2026 from February 16-20, 2026. This event is historic because for the first time, a significant forum on global AI governance is being held in the Global South.
• The Summit's objective is not to impose immediate and binding regulations, but to develop practical, balanced, and long-term policy guidelines for AI. The Summit will place a special emphasis on linking AI governance with inclusive development, environmental sustainability, and broader societal impact.

Background: Evolution of the Global AI Debate

• The AI ​​Impact Summit is the next step in a continuously evolving series of international meetings focused on AI governance.
• Identifying the potential existential and catastrophic risks posed by AI was a key theme at the Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit in 2023.
• Subsequently, the Seoul Summit 2024 broadened the scope of discussions to include innovation, inclusion, and the participation of developing countries.
• The Paris AI Action Summit 2025 focused on implementation, economic opportunities, and industrial applications.
• This series of conferences demonstrates that the global AI discussion has gradually moved beyond mere safety and risk control to development-oriented and practical concerns.

India's Approach: People, Planet, and Progress

• Compared to previous conferences, India's approach is more humane and development-focused. Whereas previously, AI was viewed primarily from the perspective of regulation and risk management, India is grounding the discussion in the principle of "People, Planet, and Progress."
• The aim is to develop AI solutions that address real socio-economic problems, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries.
• This stance underscores India's dual identity—on the one hand, it is an emerging AI power, and on the other, it is also a representative voice of the collective concerns and aspirations of the Global South.
• Through this conference, India seeks to strengthen its role in global AI governance and increase its share of the economic and developmental benefits generated by AI.

AI Impact Summit 2026: Expected Format and Significance

This conference will be one of the largest global events related to AI ever held. It will see broad participation from various regions and continents.

High-Level International Participation

• Delegates from over 100 countries are expected to participate in the conference. These will include 15–20 heads of state or government, over 50 ministers, and over 40 CEOs of global and Indian companies.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference, host a formal dinner, and address the CEO Roundtable.

Multi-Stakeholder Model

The event will be attended by governments, industry, academia, research institutions, civil society organizations, and international institutions. This reflects an inclusive and multi-stakeholder approach to AI governance.

Key Topics and Discussions

During the conference, various working groups will delve into the impact of AI on employment, reliable and secure frameworks for AI systems, and AI applications in key sectors such as healthcare, industry, and services.

India's AI Initiatives and Focus on Innovation

• Under the ₹10,370 crore IndiaAI Mission, several indigenous AI language models will be launched during the conference, including foundational models and small language models.
• Additionally, over 500 AI startups will be provided a platform, and approximately 500 sessions will be held parallel to the main event, making the summit a major global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

AI Impact Summit and China: Strategic Signals

• Possible Chinese Participation: A Chinese delegation is expected to attend the conference. India formally invited China as both countries are focused on strengthening their domestic AI capabilities.
• Conference format and diplomatic flexibility: This conference is not under any formal multilateral organization, but its structure is determined by the host country. This gave India the freedom to invite China despite geopolitical sensitivities.
• Signs of thaw in bilateral relations: The invitation to China reflects a gradual thaw in India-China relations. The recent resumption of direct flights between the two countries after a five-year hiatus and the easing of restrictions on rare mineral supplies are examples of this.

Hardware and Energy: Structural Challenges Facing India

• Dependence on computing hardware: A major weakness for India in the AI ​​field is the lack of domestic production of advanced computing hardware. High-end GPUs, the backbone of AI systems, are largely dependent on imports, limiting self-reliance.
• Prospects for India-US Tech Cooperation: The proposed interim India-US trade agreement is expected to increase trade in technology products, especially GPUs and data center equipment, which could provide some support to India's AI capabilities.
• Data Center Policy and Budgetary Indications: The Indian government has announced a tax holiday for foreign companies on data center establishments until 2047 to develop domestic AI infrastructure. However, the allocation for compute subsidies under the IndiaAI Mission in the Union Budget 2026–27 has been increased.
• Energy Requirements and the Nuclear Option: The growing energy demands of AI data centers are emerging as a new challenge. Governments are beginning to consider nuclear power as a viable option for a long-term solution.

Conclusion

The AI ​​Impact Summit 2026 is not just an international conference for India, but a strategic opportunity to establish leadership in global AI governance. India's approach, focused on inclusive development, pragmatic policies, and the interests of the Global South, can provide a new direction to the global AI discourse. However, without addressing structural challenges related to hardware, energy, and investment, it will be difficult to fully capitalize on this opportunity. Nevertheless, this summit has the potential to elevate India's technology diplomacy and global role to new heights.