AI Impact Summit 2026: PM Modi to Inaugurate Expo

India is set to host one of the world’s biggest events on Artificial Intelligence with the 2026 AI Impact Summit. It will be taking place from February 16 to 20. With the opening being presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The “India AI Impact Expo 2026” is a significant development for discussions on recent technology in India. How these technologies are impacting around the globe.

The AI Impact Summit is being marketed as the first summit of its kind to occur in a Global South country. This marks another milestone of India’s rapidly growing power in digital governance and innovation on the world stage.

Leaders from around the Globe and Organizations

At the summit, it is expected there will be guests from nearly 100 different countries. It includes leaders from Brazil and France, in attendance. Google’s Sundar Pichai and OpenAI’s Sam Altman are expected to lead some of the sessions/panels at the summit. Many notable figures will also be attending such as Demis Hassabis, Dario Amodei, and Brad Smith.

In addition to tech leaders, ministerial delegations from more than 45 other countries and heads of state from 18 additional countries in Europe, South Asia, Africa and South America will also be attending the summit. Also, as well as one of the most well-known global figures of our time. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is nearing the end of his term in 2023.

NVIDIA’s CEO, Jensen Huang, has declined his attendance at the summit due to unforeseen circumstances.

Human-Centered AI Emphasis

According to government officials, the summit will have a “human-centered” viewpoint on artificial intelligence. India wants to have fair access to artificial intelligence resources and aid in establishing global frameworks (not restricting rigid regulations as countries like Canada have done).

There will be more than 3,000 speakers at the summit (across 500 sessions). In addition to over 300 exhibits and live demonstrations, organized in three “chakras,” – People, Planet, Progress – all reflective of India’s larger vision for ethical implementation of AI.

The Expo will highlight cutting-edge innovation and emerging start-up businesses. It is to help India advance its ambitions concerning cutting-edge technology for use in the economy with the expectation that over 250,000 individuals, will attend.

Government Diplomacy Will Occur

There will be important government diplomacy that will occur during the summit in addition to debates on technology. On February 17 in Mumbai, PM Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with the president of France, Emmanuel Macron. On February 20, President Lula of Brazil will have a bilateral meeting and conduct a separate focused session on AI.

A unique, all-female hackathon will be held in Delhi to promote inclusiveness within the technology ecosystem. Other scheduled events include summits for leaders and roundtables with CEO’s from the technology sector.

Opponents of the government’s decision to invite Gates have raised concerns due to his previous relationships with major corporations and commentaries in some media outlets. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was met with criticism from opposition member Priyanka Chaturvedi. She questioned the wisdom of bringing Gates to the AI Impact Summit.

While there has been no confirmed announcement from either the government or Gates himself, it appears that Gates’s only specific activities at the Summit will be during the first day of the event – when he is to meet with Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to discuss the use of digital technologies and potential new health initiatives.

Moreover, while at the AI Impact Summit, India should be viewed as attempting to position itself as a leader in Artificial Intelligence, especially given that its government has been working hard to develop an environment conducive to not only advancing its best interests but also advancing the technological evolution of other nations as well.