India AI Impact Summit 2026 Day 2 Highlights: PM Modi Outlines Vision for Inclusive AI

The five-day India AI Impact Summit 2026, being held at Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, entered its second day with a strong emphasis on inclusive and responsible artificial intelligence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reiterated the broader vision behind the summit. Taking to the social media platform X, he stated:

“Intelligence, rationality, and decision-making make science and technology useful to the public. The India AI Impact Summit also aims to explore how AI can be used for the benefit of all.”

His remarks underline India’s push to position artificial intelligence not merely as a technological advancement, but as a tool for public good, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.

A Landmark Global AI Gathering in the Global South

The India AI Impact Summit 2026, which commenced on Monday and concludes on February 20, marks the first time a global convening of this scale on AI is being organised in the Global South.

The summit has brought together:

• Over 100 government representatives

• More than 20 heads of state

• Around 60 Ministers and Vice Ministers

• Over 500 global AI leaders, including CEOs, founders, academicians, researchers, CTOs and philanthropic organisations

Participants are deliberating on how AI can:

• Advance inclusive economic growth

• Strengthen public systems

• Enable sustainable development

• Improve governance and service delivery

On February 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the inaugural address, outlining India’s roadmap for global cooperation in responsible AI development.

Global Impact Challenges: AI for ALL, AI by HER, YUVAi

A major highlight of the summit is the culmination of three flagship Global Impact Challenges:

• AI for ALL

• AI by HER

• YUVAi

These initiatives were launched to accelerate scalable, development-oriented AI solutions aligned with national and global priorities.

Participation and Global Response

The challenges collectively attracted:

• Over 4,650 applications

• Participation from more than 60 countries

This strong global response reinforces India’s emergence as a credible hub for responsible and scalable AI innovation.

Following a rigorous multi-stage evaluation led by domain experts, policymakers and industry leaders, the top 70 teams across the three categories have been selected as finalists.

These finalists will:

• Engage with policymakers and industry leaders

• Interact with investors and academia

• Receive ecosystem support to scale their innovations nationally and globally

The Grand Finale showcase will announce the final winners.

Research Symposium on AI and Its Impact

Another key component of the summit is the Research Symposium on AI and Its Impact, organised in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad on February 18.

The symposium serves as the principal academic platform of the Summit and has received:

• Around 250 research submissions

• Participation from researchers across Africa, Asia and Latin America

The event is being attended by:

• Alar Karis

• Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw

Focus Areas of the Symposium

Discussions include:

• AI-driven scientific discovery

• AI safety and governance frameworks

• Equitable access to compute infrastructure

• Research collaboration across the Global South

The symposium brings together globally renowned AI pioneers and leading research institutions, reinforcing India’s growing influence in global AI research and policy.

Macron’s Visit: Strengthening India–France Strategic Partnership

Earlier in the day, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India to deepen bilateral ties and reinforce the India–France strategic partnership.

He was welcomed at Mumbai airport by:

• Devendra Fadnavis

• Acharya Devvrat

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Macron, and together they will launch India – France Year of Innovation 2026.

Welcoming the French President, the MEA stated on X:

“The visit will impart further momentum to the vibrant India-France strategic partnership.”

Earlier, Macron also posted on X:

“En route to India ! Three days from Mumbai to New Delhi to take our strategic partnership even further. On board with me: business leaders and the economic, industrial, cultural and digital players who give real, tangible life to the ties between India and France”.

The visit is expected to expand collaboration in technology, digital transformation, innovation ecosystems and AI governance.

India’s Expanding Role in Responsible AI

India has recently intensified its efforts in AI governance and digital public infrastructure. With initiatives such as the IndiaAI Mission and increasing investment in compute capacity, the country aims to combine technological innovation with ethical safeguards and equitable access.

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 signals a broader diplomatic and developmental strategy — positioning India as a bridge between advanced AI economies and emerging markets across the Global South.