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BUSINESS & TRADE FEBRUARY 20, 2026 | The Indian Eye 33

AI IMPACT SUMMIT 2026

Global Leaders Converge in New

Delhi to Shape Responsible AI Future

The first global AI summit of its scale in the Global South will bring world leaders, innovators
and policymakers together to chart a people-centric and sustainable path for artificial intelligence

OUR BUREAU launched in March 2024 with an out-
lay of Rs 10,372 crore. In under two
New Delhi
years, the mission has onboarded over
n a landmark moment for glob- 38,000 GPUs to create affordable
al technology governance, New computing infrastructure for startups
IDelhi is set to host the AI Impact and academic institutions. Twelve
Summit 2026 from February 16 to 20, teams have been shortlisted to devel-
marking the first gathering of its scale op indigenous foundational models
to be convened in the Global South. and Large Language Models trained
Organised by the Ministry of Elec- on local data, strengthening sover-
tronics and Information Technology, eign capabilities in critical sectors.
the five-day summit aims to move Thirty India-specific AI appli-
beyond abstract debates and deliver cations have already been approved,
concrete outcomes on the responsi- supported by 27 India Data and AI
ble development and deployment of labs. Talent development remains
artificial intelligence. central, with thousands of undergrad-
The presence of United Nations uate, postgraduate and doctoral stu-
Secretary-General Antonio Gu- dents receiving support. National ini-
terres, along with senior UN officials Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Speaks at India AI Impact Summit 2026 Press Conference in tiatives such as “Yuva AI for All” aim
and multiple heads of government, to democratise AI literacy, ensuring
underscores the growing urgency New Delhi (ANI file photo) that technological transformation is
around global AI cooperation. “We inclusive rather than exclusive.
need shared understandings to build pendent International Scientific responsible AI, Orpo highlighted the Safety and governance are key
effective guardrails, unlock innova- Panel on Artificial Intelligence, re- need for international cooperation priorities. The India AI Governance
tion for the common good, and foster cently appointed by the UN General amid intensifying geopolitical and Guidelines lay down principles for
cooperation,” Guterres said ahead Assembly. Comprising 40 experts se- economic competition. The presence safe, trustworthy and human-centric
of his visit, framing the summit as a lected from more than 2,600 candi- of multiple European leaders illus- AI systems. The ‘Safe & Trusted AI’
platform for both innovation and ac- dates, the panel will produce annual trates how AI diplomacy is becoming a pillar addresses bias mitigation, pri-
countability. evidence-based assessments on AI’s core feature of international relations. vacy-preserving architectures, deep-
More than a diplomatic event, opportunities and risks. Among its Structured around three founda- fake detection and algorithmic au-
the summit reflects a shift in the members is Indian expert Balaraman tional pillars — People, Planet and diting. Complemented by the Digital
geography of AI governance. For Ravindran of IIT Madras, signalling Progress — the summit is designed to Personal Data Protection Act, 2023,
decades, global technology conversa- India’s growing intellectual contribu- balance economic ambition with social India is seeking to build a regulatory
tions were dominated by institutions tion to global AI discourse. responsibility. Discussions will address framework that encourages innova-
in North America and Europe. By French President Emmanu- employment and skilling, sustain- tion while safeguarding rights.
hosting the summit in New Delhi, el Macron will attend the summit able and energy-efficient AI, gover- Seven thematic working groups
India positions itself — and the wid- during his fourth visit to India, rein- nance frameworks, ethical safeguards, — co-chaired by representatives from
er Global South — at the centre of forcing the technology pillar of the In- and sector-specific applications. the Global North and Global South —
discussions on how AI should evolve dia-France strategic partnership. The The AI Impact Expo, spanning are expected to present deliverables
and who it should benefit. two leaders are expected to deepen over 70,000 square metres, will fea- including proposals for AI Commons,
The UN system will convene over cooperation under the Horizon 2047 ture more than 300 exhibitors from trusted AI tools and shared compute
30 side events during the summit, fo- Roadmap and jointly inaugurate the 30 countries across 10 thematic pavil- infrastructure. The ambition is to
cusing on sectors ranging from agri- India-France Year of Innovation ions. Demonstrations will showcase reduce the digital divide and enable
culture and food security to health 2026. AI and emerging technologies AI applications in healthcare diag- developing countries to participate
systems, gender equality, disaster risk have become central to bilateral en- nostics, precision agriculture, climate meaningfully in AI advancement.
reduction and child safety. Senior rep- gagement, reflecting a shared vision modelling, accessibility technologies As global competition in artificial
resentatives from UNDP, UNICEF, of technological sovereignty and re- and digital public services. The aim intelligence intensifies, the AI Im-
UNESCO, FAO, UN Women and sponsible innovation. is to make AI tangible for citizens, pact Summit 2026 reflects a broader
other agencies will participate, high- Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri moving the narrative from abstract realisation: AI governance cannot be
lighting AI’s cross-sector impact. Orpo will also participate, accompa- algorithms to everyday impact. fragmented. It requires multilater-
A significant parallel develop- nied by a delegation of 22 Finnish India’s hosting of the sum- al cooperation, scientific rigour and
ment is the formation of the Inde- companies. Emphasising safe and mit builds on the IndiaAI Mission, ethical clarity.

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