300 pavilions, international delegates, and global collaborations highlight India’s push to become a leading AI hub
New Delhi: The India AI Impact Summit 2026 opened on Monday at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the event. The summit, which runs till February 20, will open to the public from February 17 and features a sprawling expo alongside the conference.
The expo hosts 300 pavilions, including 13 countries such as Australia, Japan, Russia, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, showcasing international collaboration in artificial intelligence. Spread across 10 arenas covering over 7,000 sq. meters, the summit brings together startups, firms, research institutions, and state governments to foster business opportunities and explore AI’s global ecosystem.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted discussions with over 30 countries on technical and legal solutions to tackle deepfakes and misinformation. Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood described AI as a “double-edged sword,” stressing governance should sharpen opportunities while blunting risks, including in education.
Key sessions also addressed AI in healthcare, disaster management, smart agriculture, and judicial systems. The Ministry of Electronics and IT noted India’s policy support for AI and semiconductor growth, while NPCI rolled out the UPI One World wallet for international delegates, facilitating real-time cross-border payments.
Industry leaders, including Reliance and Intel, highlighted AI’s potential in creating digital access, new jobs, and transforming services nationwide. With 400 booths, 600 parallel sessions, and delegates from 45 countries, the summit reflects India’s ambition to emerge as a global AI hub while promoting innovation, skill development, and inclusive technology adoption.
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