India is preparing to host the AI Impact Summit 2026, a global gathering aimed at advancing inclusive artificial intelligence development, with a focus on affordability, openness and equitable access to AI resources, according to an official statement issued Tuesday.
The summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, will bring together 15 to 20 Heads of Government, more than 50 international ministers and over 100 global and Indian corporate leaders. Officials said the event is expected to serve as a platform for discussions on the role of artificial intelligence in governance, sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.
According to the statement, India’s approach to AI emphasises democratisation through affordability, accessibility and trust, with the aim of ensuring that the benefits of AI extend to farmers, students, researchers, startups and public institutions. Officials said this approach seeks to align technological advancement with broader social and developmental goals.
The summit’s discussions will be organised through thematic working groups referred to as Chakras. These groups are structured around seven interconnected thematic areas intended to guide policy discussions and collaborative initiatives on artificial intelligence.
Among these, the Democratizing AI Resources Working Group has been identified as a key initiative. Co-chaired by India, Egypt and Kenya, the group aims to promote shared access to AI resources, international collaboration and capacity building to support a more balanced global AI ecosystem.
Officials said equitable access to data, computing capacity and digital infrastructure remains central to AI democratisation, particularly for countries in the Global South. The statement emphasised that ensuring affordable access to these foundational resources is essential for enabling wider participation in AI development and application.
India’s strategy is guided by what the statement described as a comprehensive AI stack encompassing applications, models, compute, infrastructure and energy. These layers are treated as interconnected national capabilities intended to support responsible AI development and deployment.
The statement also highlighted the IndiaAI Mission, approved in March 2024 with a financial outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore over five years. The mission aims to expand access to AI infrastructure, enhance data availability and support responsible AI use for public benefit.
Officials said the summit represents the first global AI gathering of this scale to be hosted in the Global South. The event is expected to bring together policymakers, technology firms, innovators and subject experts to deliberate on AI’s potential to drive inclusive development, governance improvements and sustainable economic growth.
The official statement added that democratising AI is viewed as an ongoing process requiring sustained commitment to ensure technological progress supports social equity, reduces inequalities and advances sustainable development outcomes.
The AI Impact Summit 2026 is expected to provide a forum for international dialogue on emerging AI challenges and opportunities, with discussions focusing on cooperation, responsible innovation and equitable access to artificial intelligence technologies.
