Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a landmark global artificial intelligence event in the national capital next year, positioning India at the forefront of the worldwide AI dialogue. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held in New Delhi from February 15 to 20, 2026, featuring an expo, high-level plenaries, and a CEO roundtable.
Global Convergence on AI in Delhi
The mega event is expected to witness an unprecedented convergence of international leadership. More than 100 countries will be represented, with participation confirmed at the highest levels. IT Secretary S Krishnan revealed that 15 to 20 countries will be represented at the head of state or head of government level, and over 50 countries at the ministerial level.
The summit has secured confirmations from a who's who of the technology and business world. The list includes Bill Gates, Demis Hassabis (CEO of Google DeepMind), Dario Amodei (CEO of Anthropic), and Shantanu Narayen (CEO of Adobe). Other confirmed top executives are Marc Benioff (Salesforce), Cristiano Amon (Qualcomm), and Raj Subramaniam (FedEx).
Prominent names widely anticipated to attend include French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, and industry titans like Jensen Huang (NVIDIA), Sam Altman (OpenAI), and Lip-Bu Tan (Intel). Krishnan stated that about 50 global CEOs and founders have already confirmed, with expectations that the number will cross 100 CEO attendees.
Historic Outreach and Summit Agenda
In a significant diplomatic move, India has extended an official invitation to China to participate as a partnering nation. This marks the first time China has been invited to India's annual AI event, signaling New Delhi's intent to foster broader consensus.
The summit's core objectives are ambitious and focused on equitable development. The agenda aims to:
- Enable the global democratisation of AI and bridge the AI divide.
- Support the development of indigenous and local AI solutions.
- Foster 'AI for Good' applications in healthcare, agriculture, and governance.
- Align global AI governance standards with the needs of the developing world.
India expects strong participation from the Global South, including nations from Africa and Latin America, ensuring diverse perspectives shape the future of AI.
Logistics and City-Wide Preparations
Delhi is undergoing extensive preparations to host the international gathering. The Delhi government has instructed civic bodies to ensure arrangements surpass the standards set during the G20 Summit. The Public Works Department (PWD) is leading a major revamp of key areas.
The focus zones include the Bharat Mandapam precinct, the IGI airport, major five-star hotels, and diplomatic enclaves like Hyderabad House and Vigyan Bhawan. Roads leading to prominent tourist spots such as Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, and Connaught Place will also be upgraded.
The action plan mandates fixing potholes, repairing footpaths, installing signage, and eliminating dark spots to enhance safety and infrastructure quality. A dedicated control room with a nodal officer has been established at the PWD headquarters to coordinate the massive effort.
Prime Minister Modi's schedule includes inaugurating the expo, hosting a dinner event likely on February 18, and participating in the opening ceremony, leaders' plenary, and CEO roundtable on February 19. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 builds on the momentum of previous international AI summits held at Bletchley Park, Seoul, Paris, and Kigali, aiming to establish India as a pivotal voice in the global AI governance landscape.
