A Global Milestone for Artificial Intelligence

The world is watching New Delhi today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to address the India AI Impact Summit 2026. This is not just another tech conference. It is a massive five-day event held at the Bharat Mandapam, a venue that has quickly become the heart of India's global diplomatic efforts. Today, February 19, marks the formal opening ceremony where the Prime Minister will share a vision that could redefine how we look at technology.

​This summit feels different because it is the first time such a large global AI gathering is being hosted in the Global South. For years, the conversation about artificial intelligence has been dominated by Silicon Valley and major European hubs. By bringing the world to Delhi, India is sending a clear message: AI is not just a tool for the wealthy or the technically elite. It is a bridge that can close the gap between developed and developing nations.

​The atmosphere at Bharat Mandapam is electric. Leaders from over 45 countries, hundreds of tech CEOs, and thousands of researchers have gathered to discuss the future. But the focus here is not just on faster processors or smarter chatbots. The core theme is something more profound.

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The Mantra of Welfare for All

​Prime Minister Modi has introduced a guiding philosophy for this summit: Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay. In simple terms, this means "Welfare for All, Happiness for All." It is a refreshing take in an industry often obsessed with profit margins and market shares. The goal is to move the conversation from "innovation for innovation's sake" to "innovation for impact."

​The Prime Minister’s address is expected to highlight how AI can become a force-multiplier for human intent. He has often spoken about how technology should empower the person at the very end of the line—the farmer in a remote village, the small business owner in a crowded city, or a student in a government school. In his view, AI is the key to unlocking "Viksit Bharat 2047," the vision of a fully developed India by the hundredth year of its independence.

​The summit is built on three foundational "Sutras" or pillars: People, Planet, and Progress. These pillars remind us that technology does not exist in a vacuum. It must serve people by improving lives, it must protect the planet by being sustainable, and it must drive progress that is shared by everyone, not just a few.

​A Gathering of Global Minds

​The guest list for today’s ceremony reads like a who’s who of the modern world. It is rare to see political heavyweights and tech titans in the same room with a shared agenda. French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are among the key heads of state attending. Their presence highlights the geopolitical importance of AI. It is no longer just a technical issue; it is a matter of national security, economic sovereignty, and international cooperation.

​On the industry side, the room is packed with the people who are actually building these systems. You have Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, and Jensen Huang of NVIDIA. Even the pioneers of AI research, like Yann LeCun and Yoshua Bengio, are present. This mix of policymakers and builders is crucial because it allows for a real dialogue. The people who make the laws and the people who write the code are finally sitting at the same table.

​The presence of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva also signals that global institutions are taking the social and economic risks of AI seriously. They are looking at how to prevent an "AI divide" where some countries race ahead while others are left behind in the digital dust.

​Moving Beyond the Hype

​We have all heard the hype about AI. Some say it will save the world, while others fear it might end it. This summit aims to find the middle ground—the practical path. One of the most interesting aspects of the event is the India AI Impact Expo. Spread across 70,000 square metres, this expo features over 300 pavilions showing real-world applications.

​Visitors aren't just seeing theoretical models. They are seeing AI that helps doctors detect tuberculosis earlier in rural clinics. They are seeing AI that helps farmers predict weather patterns and manage crop diseases with incredible precision. This is what "Impact" looks like. It is about taking complex math and turning it into a tool that helps a human being solve a real problem.

​The summit also includes a CEO roundtable where the focus will be on investment and research collaboration. India is positioning itself as a hub for "Responsible AI." This means building systems that are transparent, fair, and safe. By hosting this event, India is inviting global companies to invest not just in its market, but in its talent and its vision for ethical technology.

​Empowering the Next Generation

​A highlight that many are looking forward to is the culmination of three major challenges: AI for ALL, AI by HER, and YUVAi. These initiatives are designed to find the best ideas from everyday people, women entrepreneurs, and the youth.

• ​AI for ALL focuses on large-scale solutions for public services.

• ​AI by HER specifically supports women-led AI startups, acknowledging that diversity in tech leads to better products.

• ​YUVAi is a platform for students aged 13 to 21 to show how they can use AI for social good.

​By focusing on these groups, the summit ensures that the future of AI isn't just decided in corporate boardrooms. It gives a voice to the younger generation who will grow up in an AI-driven world. It tells them that they don't just have to be consumers of technology; they can be the creators of it.

​The Road Ahead

​As the Prime Minister takes the stage, the message is clear: the era of talking about AI is over, and the era of implementing it has begun. India’s success with Digital Public Infrastructure, like UPI and Aadhaar, has shown the world that India knows how to scale technology for millions. Now, the goal is to do the same with Artificial Intelligence.

​The summit will continue until February 20, but today’s address sets the tone. It is a tone of optimism tempered with responsibility. It is a call for the world to work together to ensure that as machines get smarter, we don't lose our human touch.

​In the end, the India AI Impact Summit 2026 is about more than just software. It is about a collective commitment to use the most powerful tool of our time for the greatest good. As the delegates head into their sessions and the world listens to the opening remarks, there is a sense that we are standing at a turning point in history.