The India AI Impact Summit 2026 kicked off in New Delhi on February 16 with sessions starting at 9:30 AM. PM Modi to inaugurate AI Expo at 5 PM; explore global AI innovation, equity & impact.

New Delhi: The India AI Impact Summit 2026 officially kicked off in New Delhi this morning, with the first sessions — including high-impact keynote addresses, policy-focused panel discussions, and expert roundtables — beginning at 9:30 AM IST at Bharat Mandapam. The five-day event (February 16–20) has attracted ministerial delegations from over 45 countries and heads of state or government from 20 nations, along with broader participation spanning more than 75 countries, making it one of the largest and most inclusive AI gatherings ever hosted in the Global South.

In a major announcement on the opening day, the United Kingdom unveiled new funding for the Masakhane African Languages Hub as part of its £58 million AI for Development (AI4D) programme. The initiative will enable AI systems to function effectively in 40 African languages, potentially transforming technology access for up to 700 million people across the continent by overcoming longstanding linguistic barriers.

Deputy PM Lammy: A Key Moment for Global AI

UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy led a senior delegation to the summit along with AI Minister Kanishka Narayan. He described the summit as “an important moment” to decide how countries can work together to unlock the full benefits of AI while ensuring strong and fair safety standards that protect everyone.

Before the event, Lammy said the UK sees AI as a tool for progress. He explained that AI can help doctors make faster diagnoses, allow teachers to personalise learning, enable public services to deliver results quickly, and help businesses create high-quality jobs. “The UK is leading in AI innovation and expertise,” he said. “We are turning ambition into action to create jobs, growth, and prosperity.”

Minister Narayan, the first Indian-origin Member of Parliament from Wales, stressed the importance of fairness. He said, “AI is the defining technology of our generation – and we are determined to make sure it benefits everyone. Its advantages should not be limited to a small group of people.”

£58 Million Plan to Promote Inclusive AI

The AI4D programme launched the African Languages Hub as one of its three main projects at the 2023 AI Safety Summit held at Bletchley Park.

The three key projects are:

• Masakhane African Languages Hub:

This project will create open-source and culturally relevant datasets in text, speech, and images for 40 African languages. It will make AI tools such as translation services and education platforms more accessible to millions of people who have been left out because of language barriers.

• AI4D Compute Hub:

The University of Cape Town will set up this centre in partnership with Canada, and it will provide important computing resources to African innovators and researchers.

• Asian AI4D Observatory:

This initiative will support responsible AI development and governance across South and Southeast Asia. It will focus on protecting rights and ensuring AI development matches regional priorities.

These projects build on earlier global AI meetings held in the UK, South Korea, and France. The focus has now moved from mainly discussing safety and regulation to creating real, people-focused impact.

Delhi Summit Highlights Role of the Global South

The summit is hosted by the Government of India under the IndiaAI Mission. It is taking place from February 16 to 20 and follows the themes of People, Planet, and Progress. The event includes high-level discussions, policy panels, and an expo with more than 300 exhibitors from over 30 countries. There is also a Global Impact Challenge to promote practical AI solutions in healthcare, agriculture, education, and climate resilience.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit and welcomed delegates from more than 20 countries.

World leaders attending include French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Leading technology executives such as Sam Altman and Sundar Pichai are also present.

Guterres said that India is the right place to host the first AI summit in the Global South and stressed that AI must benefit the whole world, not just a few powerful countries.

Stronger UK-India Technology Ties

The UK delegation’s visit also shows growing cooperation between the two countries. Indian technology companies such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and Wipro are expanding their operations in the UK. This growth follows £1.3 billion worth of Indian investment after the Prime Minister’s visit to Mumbai in October 2024.

Both countries are working together under a shared Vision 2035 plan to strengthen cooperation in science, technology, and economic development.

Minister Narayan will also visit the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Bengaluru to review ongoing UK-India research partnerships in batteries, telecommunications, and genomic medicine.