The AI Impact Summit 2026 kicked off today at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, bringing together world leaders, technology executives, policymakers and artificial intelligence (AI) innovators. The summit is significant because it shifts the global AI conversation from theory to real-world use. Instead of focusing only on ethics or principles, discussions will centre on how governments build, buy and deploy AI systems.
It is the first major global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South, marking India’s growing role in shaping global AI governance and deployment.
Delhi marks the first time the global event is being held in the developing world.
Besides, the country is emerging as a hotspot for AI firms, with Alphabet's Google, Microsoft and Amazon already committing a combined $68 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure investment up to 2030.
Indian officials are positioning the India AI Impact Summit as a platform to amplify the voices of developing nations in global AI governance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the five-day AI Impact Summit, which aims to declare a "shared roadmap for global AI governance and collaboration".
The Expo will also feature 13 country pavilions, showcasing international collaboration in the AI ecosystem. These include pavilions from Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan, and Africa.
Over 2.5 lakh visitors, including international delegates, are expected at the summit.
The Expo will be held across 10 arenas covering more than 70,000 square metres and will host global technology companies, startups, academia, research institutions, Union Ministries, State Governments, and international partners.
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