New Delhi is poised to host one of the most significant technology gatherings of 2026, the India AI Impact Summit. Scheduled from February 16 to 20, the event promises to be a landmark convergence of global technology leadership, government policy-makers, and pioneering startups.
PM Modi to Inaugurate, Global Tech Titans Confirm Attendance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will personally inaugurate the summit, underscoring the national strategic priority placed on artificial intelligence. His involvement signals India's ambition to position itself as a central hub for AI innovation and governance on the world stage.
The event has secured confirmations from a stellar roster of international tech leaders, as confirmed by the Ministry of Electronics & IT. The attendee list reads like a who's who of the global tech industry:
- Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind
- Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic
- Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe
- Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce
- Cristiano Amon, CEO of Qualcomm
- Raj Subramaniam, CEO of FedEx
- Bill Gates, technology visionary
Other highly anticipated participants include Sam Altman of OpenAI, Jensen Huang of Nvidia, and Lip-Bu Tan of Intel. The summit will also see the participation of presidents and prime ministers from over 15-20 countries, creating a unique blend of technological and geopolitical discourse.
A Strategic Platform for AI Democratisation and Collaboration
The core agenda of the India AI Impact Summit revolves around bridging global divides and fostering the democratisation of artificial intelligence. Key discussion themes have been carefully curated to address both innovation and its ethical implementation:
- Development of indigenous AI solutions within India by startups and research institutions.
- AI for Good initiatives targeting critical sectors like Healthcare, Agriculture, and Governance.
- Formation of international frameworks for AI Governance to ensure ethical use.
- Building international collaborations for joint AI research, funding, and innovation.
In a notable diplomatic move, India has extended an official invitation to China to participate as a partnering country, highlighting an intent to foster inclusive global dialogue. Other confirmed world leaders include President Emmanuel Macron of France and President Lula da Silva of Brazil.
Delhi's Infrastructure Readies for a Global Showcase
The Delhi government is undertaking extensive civic and infrastructure upgrades to ensure the summit operates seamlessly at a world-class standard, aiming to surpass the benchmarks set during the G20 Summit. A central control room has been established to oversee security, traffic, and all civic arrangements.
Major venues like the Bharat Mandapam are being prepared, alongside comprehensive revamps of transport hubs near IGI Airport and key locations including Vigyan Bhawan and Hyderabad House. The city's cultural landmarks, such as Qutub Minar, Red Fort, and Connaught Place, are also part of the beautification drive to welcome international delegates.
Summit's Significance for India's Tech Future
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is designed to be more than just a conference; it is intended as a catalyst. It aims to accelerate global AI innovation by facilitating collaborative research and development, showcasing India's domestic tech prowess, and contributing to the development of global AI standards and guidelines.
By bringing together over 100 CEOs, heads of AI startups, and country leaders, the event firmly places India on the map as a key player in shaping the future trajectory of artificial intelligence, emphasizing both its innovative capabilities and its commitment to responsible, collaborative growth.
