India is hosting the five-day AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, bringing together heads of state, government ministers, and top tech executives to discuss the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event, highlighting India’s rapid progress in science and technology and the capability of its youth to drive innovation. The summit aims to outline a “shared roadmap for global AI governance and collaboration” amid growing concerns around job disruption, child safety, and ethical AI use.
The 2026 edition is the largest yet, with the Indian government expecting 250,000 attendees, including 20 national leaders, 45 ministerial-level delegations, and top executives from major tech firms. As AI continues to transform economies, labour markets, and public services, the summit provides a platform for governments and corporations to address regulatory, security, and ethical questions. The discussions cover applications from generative AI in text and image production to advanced systems used in defence, healthcare, and climate modelling.
India sees the summit as an opportunity to position itself as a bridge between advanced economies and the Global South, showcasing its experience in building large-scale digital public infrastructure such as digital identity and payment platforms. Officials emphasize that AI should support inclusive growth and a sustainable future. Key participants include French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and tech leaders such as Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Brad Smith of Microsoft, and Yann LeCun of AMI Labs.
The summit is structured around the themes of “people, progress, planet,” referred to as the “three sutras.” While a binding international agreement is not expected, the summit may conclude with a nonbinding declaration setting out goals for AI development. Previous editions, including the Paris AI Action Summit in 2025, focused on balancing AI innovation with safety, reflecting global debates over regulation, investment, and the integration of AI technologies into national economies.
Since its inception in November 2023, shortly after the launch of ChatGPT, AI summits have expanded from small gatherings of government officials and researchers focused on safety into large international forums that highlight both the transformative potential and the risks of AI. Observers expect discussions at the New Delhi summit to center on implementing regulatory guardrails without stifling development, while also exploring opportunities for international collaboration and increased state investment in AI technologies.
