The fourth edition of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 marks a significant evolution in the global dialogue on artificial intelligence, shifting the focus from high-level responsible AI principles to measurable and development-oriented impact. The summit will be held in New Delhi on February 19–20, 2026, with related side events taking place from February 16–24. More than 100 countries have been invited to participate, alongside ministers, researchers, innovators and representatives of global institutions, reflecting the summit’s broad international engagement.
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is playing a central leadership role at the summit, supporting Canada’s co-chair position in the Science Working Group together with Singapore and India. Canada’s delegation is led by Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, and includes IDRC President Julie Delahanty and Vice-President Maggie Gorman Vélez. Several IDRC research partners are also participating through the Artificial Intelligence for Development partnership with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The summit agenda is organized around three overarching pillars—people, planet and progress—supported by seven thematic working group tracks. These tracks address science, human capital, inclusion, safe and trusted AI, democratizing AI resources, social good, and resilience, innovation and efficiency. India has underscored the importance of ensuring that summit outcomes are practical and development-focused, emphasizing South-South scientific collaboration, locally led innovation ecosystems, equitable access to AI infrastructure and development-driven AI applications.
Through its leadership in the Science Working Group and its long-standing support for innovation in the Global South, IDRC is working to advance international cooperation that balances technological progress with shared prosperity. Its engagement promotes responsible AI that is safe, inclusive, rights-based and sustainable. The working group is hosting events and workshops during the summit to convene funders, researchers and policy partners around responsible innovation, equitable infrastructure access and collaborative scientific ecosystems aimed at leveraging AI for scientific breakthroughs in developing regions.
IDRC’s involvement also reflects the strength of its Artificial Intelligence for Development initiative, which seeks to empower local experts in the Global South to address development challenges through inclusive innovation and leadership in global AI governance. The summit provides a platform to showcase these efforts and deepen collaboration across a diverse ecosystem of official and partner-led events focused on responsible AI for development.
