New Delhi | RBN News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Prime Minister will also welcome visiting world leaders on the evening of February 18 ahead of the formal proceedings.
According to the official release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Prime Minister will receive leaders of participating nations at Bharat Mandapam at around 7 PM on February 18. Bilateral meetings with several heads of state and government attending the summit are also scheduled on the sidelines.
Opening Ceremony and High-Level Participation
On February 19 at approximately 9:40 AM, the Prime Minister will participate in the Opening Ceremony of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The session will also feature addresses by the President of France, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and senior global industry leaders.
The summit is expected to serve as a platform for dialogue on artificial intelligence governance, innovation, and cross-border cooperation.
Visit to India AI Impact Expo 2026
Following the opening ceremony, at around 11 AM, the Prime Minister along with other global leaders will visit the India AI Impact Expo 2026. The expo will showcase country pavilions highlighting AI-driven solutions, technological innovations, and sector-specific applications.
Officials stated that the expo aims to demonstrate practical deployments of AI across industries and public systems.
Leaders’ Plenary Session
At around 12 noon, the Prime Minister will participate in the Leaders’ Plenary session. The forum will bring together Heads of State and Government, ministers, and senior representatives from multilateral institutions to outline national and international priorities in artificial intelligence.
Key themes expected to be discussed include AI governance frameworks, digital infrastructure development, capacity building, and international collaboration mechanisms.
CEO Roundtable
Later in the evening, from 5:30 PM onwards, the Prime Minister will join a CEO Roundtable. The session will convene senior executives from global technology and industrial firms alongside government leadership.
Discussions at the roundtable will focus on investment flows, research partnerships, supply chain resilience, and responsible deployment of AI systems in both public and private sectors.
Theme and Strategic Framework
The theme of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 is “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” — translated as “Welfare for All, Happiness of All.” The summit aims to position India as a leading voice in shaping the future of artificial intelligence in a manner that advances inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The event is structured around three core pillars:
- People
- Planet
- Progress
Seven dedicated Working Groups anchor the summit’s agenda under these pillars. The thematic focus areas include:
- AI for Economic Growth and Social Good
- Democratizing AI Resources
- Inclusion for Social Empowerment
- Safe and Trusted AI
- Human Capital Development
- Scientific Advancement
- Resilience, Innovation, and Efficiency
These groups are expected to produce actionable outcomes demonstrating AI’s impact across sectors.
Global Participation
The summit will bring together more than 500 global AI leaders. Participation includes approximately 100 CEOs and founders, 150 academicians and researchers, and around 400 CTOs, vice presidents, and philanthropic representatives.
Over 100 government representatives are also expected to attend, including more than 20 Heads of State and Government and around 60 Ministers and Vice Ministers.
What Happens Next
The outcomes of the summit’s working groups and high-level discussions are expected to shape future policy directions and international cooperation frameworks in artificial intelligence.
Officials indicated that the event is designed to strengthen India’s role in global AI governance while facilitating collaboration between governments, industry, and academia.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 marks one of the largest multilateral gatherings focused on artificial intelligence to be hosted in the country.
