By Micah Jonah, February 16, 2026
India has kicked off a major global summit on artificial intelligence, drawing heads of state, ministers and top technology executives to deliberate on governance, innovation and the future impact of AI on jobs and society.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the five-day AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where discussions are expected to focus on global collaboration, regulation, child safety and economic transformation driven by artificial intelligence.
The Indian government said about 250,000 participants are expected at the event, including 20 national leaders and dozens of ministerial delegations, making it the largest edition of the summit.
Among the prominent leaders billed to attend are French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Top executives from leading global technology firms are also participating, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon and Microsoft President Brad Smith.
The summit is being held at a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming economies and labour markets worldwide. From generative AI tools capable of producing text and images to advanced systems used in healthcare, defence and climate research, governments are grappling with how best to regulate the technology without stifling innovation.
India, the world’s most populous nation and one of the fastest-growing digital markets, sees the gathering as an opportunity to position itself as a bridge between advanced economies and the Global South.
Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the goal is to ensure AI is deployed for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The event is themed around “people, progress and planet,” reflecting India’s push to promote responsible AI development. However, like previous editions held in France, the United Kingdom and South Korea, the summit is not expected to produce a binding political agreement.
Instead, observers anticipate a non-binding declaration outlining shared principles and goals for AI governance.
Last year’s edition in Paris drew attention after US Vice President JD Vance warned against excessive regulation that could slow the growth of the AI industry.
With AI increasingly shaping global competition and economic strategies, discussions in New Delhi are expected to focus on balancing innovation with safeguards, as countries seek to harness the benefits of the technology while addressing risks linked to security, misinformation and job disruption.
