India to Host First Global South AI Summit in 2026: Focus on Governance and Inclusion

India will host the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 from February 16 to February 20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, marking the first global Artificial Intelligence summit to be held in the Global South. The event will bring together global policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, startups, and innovators to shape the future of responsible, inclusive, and development-oriented AI.

Aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the summit aims to translate global AI discussions into real-world developmental outcomes.

India-AI Impact Summit 2026: Why It Matters

Artificial Intelligence has become a central pillar of India’s development strategy, enabling:

• Improved governance

• Inclusive economic growth

• Efficient public service delivery

India’s AI approach emphasises people-centric deployment, multilingual innovation, and ethical use—leveraging the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity to build multimodal AI systems that serve real societal needs.

Building on Global AI Dialogues

The summit builds on outcomes from leading international AI forums and aligns them with national priorities under the IndiaAI Mission and Digital India Initiative. A key objective is to strengthen multilateral cooperation on responsible AI governance while ensuring AI solutions remain scalable, affordable, and inclusive.

AI as a Development Enabler in India

AI in Healthcare

AI is transforming healthcare delivery through:

• Remote diagnostics and telemedicine

• AI-based medical image analysis

• Predictive analytics for disease surveillance

• AI-driven drug discovery for affordable treatments

These applications are particularly improving healthcare access in rural and underserved regions.

AI in Agriculture and Rural Economy

AI-powered solutions are enhancing agricultural productivity through:

• Weather and pest forecasting

• Precision farming tools

• Drone-based crop monitoring

• Real-time advisories in regional languages

These initiatives are enabling data-driven decision-making and boosting farmer incomes.

AI in Education

In education, AI is supporting:

• Personalised learning platforms

• AI-driven tutoring systems

• Language translation tools

These innovations are helping bridge learning gaps across diverse geographies and learner groups.

AI in Finance, Commerce and Governance

AI is strengthening financial inclusion through:

• Fraud detection systems

• AI-based credit assessment

• Automated customer service platforms

In governance and public services, AI applications include:

• Translation of court judgments

• Smart city management systems

• Judicial case management tools

These are improving efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.

Three Sutras and Seven Chakras Framework

Three Sutras: Guiding Principles

The summit is anchored on three foundational Sutras, which guide multilateral cooperation for impact-oriented AI deployment. These principles emphasise responsible innovation, inclusion, and sustainability.

Seven Chakras: Areas of Collaboration

The Sutras will be operationalised through seven Chakras, focusing on:

1. Human capital development

2. Social inclusion

3. Safe and trusted AI

4. Resilience and sustainability

5. Scientific research and innovation

6. Democratisation of AI resources

7. AI for economic growth and social good

Together, this framework aligns global AI strategies with inclusive and sustainable development goals.

Key Events and Programmes at the Summit

Pre-Summit and Regional Engagement

• Regional AI conferences across eight Indian states

• Thematic sessions during the main summit

• Over 700 global proposals received, indicating strong international participation

Major Highlights

• AI Compendium release on February 17, documenting real-world AI use cases

• Flagship initiatives:

  • AI for All

  • AI by HER

  • YUVAi
    (focused on scalable solutions, women-led innovation, and youth participation)

Research Symposium and AI Expo

• Research Symposium on AI and Its Impact on February 18, with IIIT Hyderabad as knowledge partner

• India AI Impact Expo 2026:

  • Over 70,000 square metres

  • 400+ exhibitors

  • Expected 1.5 lakh visitors

  • Showcasing large-scale AI deployments

Institutional Support and Policy Alignment

The summit is backed by:

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

• IndiaAI Mission

• Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)

• Digital India Initiative

This ensures alignment with national AI policies, ecosystem development, and implementation of summit outcomes.

Expected Outcomes of India-AI Impact Summit 2026

The summit aims to:

• Strengthen AI governance frameworks

• Promote AI skill development

• Assess regional readiness for AI-led growth

• Foster long-term partnerships across government, academia, startups, and industry

India seeks to position itself as a global hub for responsible and inclusive AI innovation, while advancing self-reliance in AI infrastructure, talent, and indigenous solutions.

Final Take

By placing Artificial Intelligence at the core of its development agenda, India is showcasing how AI can be harnessed for inclusive growth, efficient governance, and long-term societal benefit. The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 marks a defining step in shaping a people-first global AI future.