India AI Impact Summit 2026 Kicks Off with Global Tech Leaders in New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the landmark India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, setting the stage for a transformative five-day event focused on shaping the future of artificial intelligence through global cooperation and ethical development. The summit marks the first major global AI gathering hosted in the Global South, with an impressive $100 billion in investment commitments on the table.
Star-Studded Opening Ceremony Unites Industry Titans
The high-level opening ceremony brought together an unprecedented assembly of technology industry leaders, including CEOs and executives from the world's most influential companies. Among the distinguished attendees were Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI's Sam Altman, Anthropic's Dario Amodei, Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis, Adobe's Shantanu Narayen, and Meta's Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang.
The gathering also featured prominent Indian business leaders including Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, TCS CEO K. Krithivasan, Infosys CEO Salil Parekh, and HCLTech CEO C. Vijayakumar. International representation included Microsoft President Brad Smith, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet, Nvidia Executive Vice President Jay Puri, and World Economic Forum President Børge Brende.
Prime Minister Modi's Visionary Address
In his inaugural address on February 19, Prime Minister Modi declared that "artificial intelligence marks a transformative chapter in human history." He emphasized that "India is not just a part of the AI revolution, but is leading and shaping it," pointing to the unprecedented embrace of AI by India's younger generation.
The Prime Minister highlighted how certain turning points in human history have shaped entire centuries, stating that "artificial intelligence is one such transformation in history" that will set the direction of civilization and transform the pace of development.
Major Investment Announcements and Commitments
The summit witnessed significant financial commitments toward AI infrastructure and development in India. Mukesh Ambani announced that Reliance Group and Jio Intelligence will invest 10 lakh crores over the next seven years to connect India to the intelligence era. He revealed plans for gigawatt-scale AI-ready data centers, green energy integration, and nationwide edge computing infrastructure.
Microsoft President Brad Smith disclosed that his company is on pace to invest $50 billion before the end of the decade to bring AI to the Global South, focusing on both infrastructure and skilling initiatives. Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the establishment of a full-stack AI hub in India as part of Google's $15 billion infrastructure investment in the country.
Tech Leaders Share Perspectives on AI's Future
Sundar Pichai emphasized the need to "pursue AI boldly, approach it responsibly, and work together through this moment," while acknowledging that the best outcomes of AI are not guaranteed. Sam Altman predicted that India will become "one of the biggest markets for AI in the world" and will have substantial influence on the technology's global trajectory.
Demis Hassabis praised the summit as "an incredibly important convening point for international dialogue and hopefully cooperation over the future of AI," noting that such gatherings have moved beyond optional discussions to becoming essential for safe and collaborative development.
Focus on Responsible and Inclusive AI Development
Shantanu Narayen highlighted India's potential leadership role in addressing critical issues like data privacy, security, and trust in AI systems. He emphasized the importance of provenance and watermarking to distinguish real from fake information. Adobe is expanding opportunities for creativity among millions of Indian students by empowering them with AI skills.
Dario Amodei discussed the exponential growth of AI capabilities and the approaching reality of AI systems surpassing human cognitive abilities. He stressed the importance of democratic approaches to AI governance and ensuring systems remain safe, predictable, and under human control.
Three-Pillar Framework and Summit Structure
The five-day summit is organized around three foundational pillars: People, Planet, and Progress. Events will run across multiple venues in the national capital, including Bharat Mandapam and Sushma Swaraj Bhawan. The gathering represents a significant milestone in international AI diplomacy, bringing together public and private sector leaders from around the world to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in artificial intelligence.
N. Chandrasekaran framed AI as "the next big infrastructure" comparable to historical shifts like steam engines, electricity, and the internet. He emphasized that AI tools must reach the "last person" to ensure inclusive development and cited examples of rapid AI adoption even in rural areas as evidence of the technology's lowering barriers.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 establishes New Delhi as a crucial hub for global AI discourse, with commitments spanning infrastructure development, ethical frameworks, international collaboration, and substantial financial investments aimed at positioning India at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution.
