The India AI Impact Summit 2026 commenced on February 19, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurating the event. The visit follows a welcome ceremony held on February 18, 2026, where the Prime Minister received leaders from multiple participating nations.
The Summit features a series of high‑level dialogues, multilateral engagements, and technology showcases. It aims to highlight India’s growing role in global AI collaboration and sectoral development.
The Opening Ceremony took place at around 9:40 AM and was attended by global leaders and senior representatives of major institutions. The President of France and the Secretary‑General of the United Nations addressed the gathering alongside the Prime Minister.
The session highlighted the Summit’s focus on governance, international partnerships, and responsible AI adoption. It also marked the beginning of a day-long series of meetings involving government officials, industry leaders, and multilateral bodies.
Following the Opening Ceremony, the Prime Minister will visit the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at around 11 AM. This exhibition features pavilions from multiple countries, displaying advancements in AI solutions, infrastructure, and applied technologies.
Leaders accompanying the Prime Minister reviewed demonstrations of sector-specific implementations. The Expo plays a central role in presenting innovations aligned with the Summit’s collaborative themes.
The Leaders’ Plenary will commence around 12 noon with participation from Heads of State, ministers, and senior officials from international institutions. Discussions centred on global governance frameworks, AI infrastructure development, and cooperative mechanisms for long-term adoption.
Representatives outlined national priorities and shared insights on policies supporting safe and trusted AI. This segment created a platform for strengthening multilateral alignment across diverse markets.
The CEO roundtable will begin at 5:30 PM and brought together senior executives from global technology and industrial firms. The session examined investment opportunities across emerging AI sectors, along with discussions on research collaboration.
Participants also reviewed issues related to supply chain strengthening and the deployment of AI systems at scale. Government representatives outlined areas where public‑private partnerships could accelerate sectoral growth.
The theme of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 is “सर्वजन हिताय, सर्वजन सुखाय,” which translates to welfare for all and happiness for all. The Summit focuses on positioning India as a global leader in AI development while promoting inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
Seven Working Groups support the event under the pillars: People, Planet, and Progress. These groups address areas such as economic growth, democratised resources, inclusion, trusted AI, human capital, science, and resilient innovation.
The Summit hosts over 500 global AI leaders, including CEOs, CXOs, founders, academicians, and researchers. Around 100 CEOs and founders, along with 400 CTOs, VPs, and philanthropic representatives, are participating.
More than 100 government delegates are attending, including over 20 Heads of State and Government. Approximately 60 ministers and vice ministers are also part of the engagements, providing broad international representation.
Read More: Nvidia to Expand India AI Factories and Sovereign Cloud Collaborations Partners.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 marks a significant multilateral gathering focused on global AI collaboration. The Prime Minister’s inauguration and participation in multiple sessions highlight the event’s strategic importance.
Discussions throughout the day covered governance, innovation, investment, and cross‑border cooperation. The Summit is set to influence ongoing efforts to shape international AI frameworks and partnerships.
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Published on: Feb 19, 2026, 10:47 AM IST
Akshay Shivalkar
Akshay Shivalkar is a financial content specialist who strategises and creates SEO-optimised content on the stock market, mutual funds, and other investment products. With experience in fintech and mutual funds, he simplifies complex financial concepts to help investors make informed decisions through his writing.
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