The AI Impact Summit 2026 took place from February 16 to 20, 2026 in New Delhi, India, with an extended exhibition until February 21, 2026. It is one of the largest international artificial intelligence events organized in the Global South, bringing together policy makers, researchers, technology company leaders, investors and startups.

The main objective of this summit is to discuss the concrete applications of AI, responsible governance, technological ethics and strategies to develop local innovation. Sessions addressed the impact of AI on education, health, health, agriculture, sustainability, and digital trade

International involvement and key leaders

The summit welcomed numerous political leaders and business leaders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India's strategic role in international debates on artificial intelligence.
Representatives of foreign states also participated, strengthening the international dialogue around AI. This participation reinforces India's position as a hub for technological innovation in the Global South.

Strategic goals and governance of artificial intelligence

Discussions focused on regulation and responsible governance. Technology platforms must respect national legislation, protect user rights, and promote responsible and ethical use of AI.
India reaffirmed its commitment to ethical and inclusive AI, stressing the need to strengthen legislative frameworks, the transparency of automated processes, and the promotion of ethical AI. These discussions aim to integrate AI in a responsible way across all sectors.

Sectoral applications in AI

The main objective of this summit is to discuss the concrete applications of AI, responsible governance, technological ethics and strategies to develop local innovation. Sessions addressed the potential impact of AI in different sectors such as education, health, and agriculture.

Investments and technological development

At the summit, companies announced major investments to develop AI in emerging markets. Microsoft, for example, has confirmed a commitment of tens of billions of dollars to support innovation, the training of local talent, and the strengthening of technological infrastructures.

These investments aim to improve the efficiency of key sectors such as education, health and agriculture, while stimulating local startups and promoting the creation of solutions adapted to regional needs.

Local innovation and the role of startups

The summit offered a platform for startups and local innovators to present concrete initiatives using artificial intelligence. These projects aimed in particular at education, the optimization of agricultural crops, the analysis of climate data and access to multilingual information.

Several solutions have been put forward to show the practical application of AI in local contexts, without the exact technical details of the models or applications presented being systematically published in the available sources.

Prospects for artificial intelligence

The summit confirms the importance of India in the development of artificial intelligence on a global scale. The discussions paved the way for international collaborations, the responsible adoption of AI, and the strengthening of local technological capabilities.

The initiatives and announcements made at the summit show that AI can be a driver of economic and social transformation, especially for Global South countries.

Sources:

• Digital Business Africa

• Hindustan Times

• Times of India