Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the India AI Impact Expo 2026 in New Delhi on February 16 2026, kicking off a five-day flagship event aligned with the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The expo and summit together form one of the largest global gatherings on artificial intelligence ever hosted in the Global South, bringing together policymakers, innovators, industry leaders, researchers, and startups to showcase and discuss the real-world impact of AI.
The expo — scheduled from February 16–20 at Bharat Mandapam — will feature over 600 high-potential startups, more than 300 curated exhibition pavilions, and 13 country pavilions highlighting international collaboration in AI innovation. Organisers expect over 2.5 lakh visitors, including global delegates, and more than 3,250 speakers and panelists across over 500 sessions focused on themes such as healthcare, agriculture, education, climate action, and energy.
The event is structured around thematic “chakras” — People, Planet, and Progress — emphasising how AI can be used responsibly and inclusively for societal benefit, sustainable development, and broad-based innovation. In parallel with the expo, the India AI Impact Summit (officially opening later in the week) will convene global leaders and CEOs to deliberate investment, governance, ethical frameworks, and practical approaches to scaling AI for economic and social good.
Modi’s inauguration marks a high point in India’s role as a hub for global AI dialogue and collaboration. The expo and summit together aim to catalyse partnerships and investment in the AI ecosystem, and India will also spotlight indigenous AI foundation models and national initiatives designed to democratise access to AI technologies across languages and sectors.
