India is hosting the AI Impact Summit 2026, gathering global tech leaders to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence across economies, governance, and society.
As artificial intelligence (AI) approaches a pivotal role in reshaping human civilization, India is welcoming a summit of global tech leaders to discuss its implications for economies, governance, and society. The five-day Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026 commenced on Monday evening, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, the summit venue in New Delhi.
In a post on X, Modi emphasized the significance of the summit, stating, “This is proof that our nation is making rapid progress in the fields of science and technology and is contributing significantly to global development.” He further highlighted the potential and capabilities of India’s youth, underscoring the nation’s commitment to harnessing AI for human-centric progress.
The theme of the summit, ‘Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya,’ translates to “welfare for all, happiness for all,” reflecting India’s dedication to utilizing AI for the benefit of all citizens. The first day featured a leadership session focused on harnessing AI for the future of learning and work, examining how AI is reshaping global employment and redefining necessary skills.
Another significant session addressed the transformation of India’s judicial ecosystem through AI. Experts discussed the technology’s potential to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility within the judicial system. Additionally, the summit included discussions on culturally grounded AI and social norms, emphasizing that AI systems often fail not due to technical limitations but because they overlook essential social contexts.
The future of employability in the age of AI is a central theme, with experts exploring how AI may create new job opportunities while rendering some existing roles obsolete, necessitating large-scale workforce reskilling. A special session titled “Artificial Intelligence for Smart and Resilient Agriculture – From Research to Solutions” aimed to gather diverse perspectives on how AI can support sustainable, efficient, and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
This summit is notable as the first global AI summit of its kind to take place in the Global South. It aims to foster a future where AI’s transformative impact serves humanity, drives inclusive growth, and promotes people-centric innovations to protect the planet.
The groundwork for the summit included five rounds of public consultations and global outreach sessions held in cities such as Paris, Berlin, Oslo, New York, Geneva, Bangkok, and Tokyo. The summit is anchored in three guiding principles: the Sutras of People, Planet, and Progress, which frame how AI should serve humanity, safeguard the environment, and promote inclusive growth.
Prior to the New Delhi summit, a strategic pre-summit gathering took place in Washington, D.C., where policymakers, technologists, diplomats, and founders convened to discuss “Co-Creating the Future: Global South–Global North Collaboration for AI Impact.” This gathering reinforced the notion that AI discussions can no longer be geographically concentrated.
The New Delhi Summit aims to chart a path toward a future where AI’s transformative power serves humanity, fosters social development, and promotes innovations that protect the planet. It also seeks to amplify the voice of the Global South, ensuring that technological advancements and opportunities are shared broadly rather than concentrated in a few regions.
However, the rapid proliferation of AI across society presents urgent challenges, including disruptions to traditional employment patterns, exacerbation of biases, and increased energy consumption. These developments underscore the need to move beyond aspirational frameworks and deliver measurable, concrete impacts that address both the promises and perils of AI.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, ahead of the summit, noted India’s tech talent, national strategy, and optimism about AI’s potential, stating that the country possesses “all the ingredients to be a full-stack AI leader.” In an article for The Times of India, he outlined three priorities for collaboration: scaling AI literacy, building computing and energy infrastructure, and integrating AI into real workflows.
Altman expressed OpenAI’s commitment to partnering with the Indian government to make AI and its benefits accessible to more people across the country. “AI will help define India’s future, and India will help define AI’s future. And it will do so in a way only a democracy can,” he wrote.
The AI Impact Summit 2026 represents a significant milestone in the global conversation surrounding artificial intelligence, highlighting India’s role as a leader in the technology’s development and implementation.
According to The American Bazaar, the summit is set to pave the way for a future where AI’s transformative capabilities are harnessed for the greater good.