India has launched the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, a major global gathering on artificial intelligence that brings together world leaders, tech CEOs and policymakers to discuss the technology’s growing influence and risks. The five-day event at Bharat Mandapam marks the first time the summit is hosted in the Global South and is expected to attract over 250,000 visitors as well as more than 20 heads of state and ministerial delegations. High-profile industry figures such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai are among the speakers, and the summit aims to create a shared roadmap for global AI governance and collaboration.
Organisers have pitched the summit around three broad themes — “People, Planet and Progress” — and hope to balance innovation with safeguards, while placing emphasis on AI’s societal and economic benefits. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed delegates on social media, framing the event as a milestone in positioning India as a hub for AI-driven growth and inclusive technological adoption. Alongside summit sessions, an extensive AI Impact Expo will showcase hundreds of AI applications and innovations from both Indian and international participants.
However, rising concerns about safety and societal impacts of AI have featured prominently in discussions ahead of and during the summit. Observers note that while rapid advances in generative AI have fuelled growth and enthusiasm, they have also raised alarms over potential harms such as misinformation, child exploitation, environmental impact, and job displacement. Some experts warn that broad agendas at such meetings can dilute focus on concrete safety commitments and effective regulatory frameworks.
The summit comes at a pivotal moment in global AI policy, building on earlier international gatherings in Paris, Seoul and the UK. India’s hosting aims to amplify voices from emerging economies in shaping AI norms and to promote multilateral cooperation on ethical, responsible and inclusive AI. Still, debates over how best to ensure safety, manage risks and equitably share benefits remain central to the conversations unfolding in New Delhi this week.
