AI Impact Summit 2026: PM Modi welcomes world leaders, echoes India's message of global leadership

New Delhi: The AI ​​Impact Summit 2026, held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, began with an address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The five-day event, which is scheduled to continue until February 20, showcases advances in artificial intelligence by bringing together global technology leaders, policymakers, startups and research institutions.

What did PM Modi say?

Inaugurating the event on Monday, PM Modi said, "Bringing the world together to discuss AI is the need of the hour. Starting today, India is hosting the AI ​​Impact Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. I warmly welcome all leaders, industry representatives, innovators, policymakers, researchers, and tech lovers from across the world to this summit."

In his message, the Prime Minister stated that India stands at the forefront of transformation related to Artificial Intelligence (AI). He noted that India's progress in the field of AI reflects both ambition and responsibility.

The AI ​​Summit, being held in New Delhi, is attracting participation from global political leaders, tech companies, startups, and research communities. According to reports, representatives from more than 45 countries are attending the event. Several international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, are participating.

From the technology world, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and OpenAI head Sam Altman, along with representatives from various global AI companies, will also be present at the event.

What does the AI Development summit lay emphasis on?

According to information shared by the government, an investment of ₹10,372 crore has been made under the IndiaAI Mission. As a result of this initiative, more than 38,000 GPUs have been onboarded for shared compute access. Twelve Indian foundation models are being developed, and more than 30 India-specific AI applications have been approved. In addition, a large number of graduate, postgraduate, and PhD students are being supported through targeted programs.

The AI ​​Impact Summit 2026 is discussing a wide range of issues related to artificial intelligence through various workgroups and thematic sessions. The AI ​​Impact Expo is also being held at the venue, spanning over 70,000 square meters, showcasing AI applications in agriculture, health, education, and public services.