New Delhi / Hyderabad, February 13, 2026 – Bharat is stepping into the global spotlight once again! Next week, India will proudly host the India AI Impact Summit 2026 – the world’s first major AI summit ever held in the Global South. This isn’t just another conference; it’s a powerful declaration that AI should serve every citizen, protect our planet, and drive real progress for all nations, especially developing ones.

Organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the visionary IndiaAI Mission, the summit will take place from February 16 to 20, 2026, at the grand Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Rooted in the timeless Indian ethos of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” – Welfare for All, Happiness for All – the event revolves around three guiding pillars: People, Planet, and Progress.

This five-day extravaganza will bring together over 35,000 registered participants from more than 100 countries, turning Bharat Mandapam into a buzzing hub of ideas, innovations, and actionable plans to make AI inclusive and responsible.

Massive Scale & Global Buzz

• AI Impact Expo: 300+ exhibitors from 30+ countries, 10+ thematic pavilions showcasing real-world AI solutions.
• 600+ startups pitching groundbreaking ideas.
• 500+ sessions, workshops, seminars, and deep-dive discussions.
• Knowledge compendiums on AI’s role in health, energy, education, agriculture, gender empowerment, and disabilities to be released.

It’s a platform where talk turns into tangible impact – addressing AI’s promise (jobs, efficiency, innovation) and perils (bias, job displacement, energy demands) head-on.

Power-Packed Lineup: From PM Modi to Global Tech Titans

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the main event on February 19 and host a high-level CEOs’ roundtable, reinforcing India’s leadership in people-centric AI.

The star-studded guest list includes some of the biggest names in tech and global leadership:

• Bill Gates (Chair, Gates Foundation)
• Sundar Pichai (CEO, Google/Alphabet)
• Sam Altman (CEO, OpenAI)
• Jensen Huang (Founder & CEO, NVIDIA)
• Demis Hassabis (CEO, Google DeepMind)
• Dario Amodei (CEO, Anthropic)
• Arthur Mensch (CEO, Mistral AI)
• Brad Smith (President, Microsoft)
• And leaders from Adobe, Qualcomm, Salesforce, Infosys, Reliance, Tata, Accenture, and more.

On the world stage: Reports highlight participation from 15+ heads of state/government (including prime ministers and presidents from Brazil, France, and others), 50+ ministers, and top policymakers – making this a true diplomatic and tech powerhouse event.

Seven Chakras: The Core Focus Areas

The summit is structured around seven transformative chakras:

1. Human Capital – Skilling India and the world for the AI age.
2. Inclusion for Social Empowerment – AI that leaves no one behind.
3. Safe and Trusted AI – Ethical, bias-free, secure systems.
4. Resilience – Building robust AI against disruptions.
5. Innovation and Efficiency – Sustainable breakthroughs.
6. Science and Democratizing AI Resources – Open access to tools and compute.
7. AI for Economic Growth and Social Good – Driving jobs, welfare, and development.

These align perfectly with India’s vision: Amplify the Global South’s voice, ensure equitable benefits, and create AI that truly uplifts humanity.

Why This Matters for Every Indian

In a world where AI is reshaping jobs, economies, and societies, India is leading from the front – not just adopting technology, but shaping it responsibly. This summit positions Bharat as the bridge between developed and developing nations, championing inclusive AI that delivers welfare and happiness for all.

With registrations still open at impact.indiaai.gov.in, excitement is at fever pitch. Whether you’re a student, startup founder, professional, or simply proud of India’s rise – this is our moment on the world stage.

BharatTone will bring you live updates, key takeaways, and exclusive insights straight from Bharat Mandapam as the summit unfolds from February 16.

Jai Hind! Let’s make AI work for every Indian and every global citizen.