26 February,2026 05:58 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Pic/X@NarendraModi
India hosted the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, focusing on human-centric AI, global cooperation, and ethical frameworks such as the New Delhi Declaration.
The summit, focusing on AI development in India and across the globe, brought together global leaders, policymakers, technology experts, innovators and startup founders to deliberate on the future of artificial intelligence and its responsible deployment, reported IANS.
The recently concluded AI Summit saw major investment commitments, with global companies and governments pledging USD 200 billion for AI-related projects and infrastructure in India during the event in New Delhi.
While addressing the 131st episode of his monthly radio programme after the conclusion of AI Summit 2026, the Prime Minister, during his programme âMann ki Baat' said, "This is a strong platform to bring forth achievements of the country and its people. One such achievement was recently seen during the AI Impact Summit that was held in Delhi. Leaders, industrialists, innovators and people from the startup sectors arrived in the Bharat Mandapam for this summit."
While the AI summit was not just about the investments and bringing AI giants to India, it was also about showcasing India's hold in AI on a global stage.
Expressing his views on the positive impact on India's AI sector, Jaspreet Bindra, co-founder of AI & Beyond, said, "India's positioning was reinforced by lived digital success stories. The integration of AI with digital public infrastructure, combined with strong public optimism, showed that AI is no longer being discussed as a future possibility but as a present-day enabler across governance, healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship."
Amid the recent development in the artificial intelligence sector, where giants like Google and OpenAI are eyeing rapid expansion, they are treating India as a strategic location for next-generation artificial intelligence infrastructure, signalling a major shift in the global AI computing landscape.
Highlighting India's role in expanding the AI computing landscape at a global level, the former Regional Director at Microsoft India, Jaspreet Bindra, also emphasised, "India offers a unique environment where AI systems can be built, tested, and refined in real-world conditions across languages, industries, and socioeconomic settings. This makes the country an ideal proving ground for AI solutions that are meant to work globally, not just in controlled or mature markets."
