AI Summit Delhi 2026: 'The who’s who of AI world are here,' PM Modi says at 'historic' meet

At the Plenary Session of the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India’s direction regarding AI is clear. India’s vision is clear. AI is a shared resource for the benefit of all humanity. Together, we must create an AI future that advances innovation, strengthens inclusion, and moves forward by incorporating human values. When technology and human trust go hand in hand, the true impact of AI will be visible on the world…”

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei — whose companies are growing more competitive — stood side by side with other leaders but refrained from joining hands during the symbolic gesture.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said, “It’s incredible to be here. The work happening in India and the rapid adoption of AI is setting global benchmarks, and I’m excited to see what comes next. India will be one of the biggest AI markets in the world and will have enormous influence. AI will certainly affect the job market, but humans always find new ways to work, and I’m confident we’ll discover even better opportunities this time.”

At the India AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, Andhra Pradesh put the spotlight on its Tech-First vision through a dedicated pavilion, highlighting its progress in AI, deep tech, and digital innovation, while reaffirming its goal to become a national leader in the AI ecosystem.

At the AI Impact Summit 2026, Mukesh Ambani emphasised that artificial intelligence will not eliminate jobs but create new opportunities requiring high-level skills. He highlighted Jio’s AI initiatives in education, including Jio Shikshak and adaptive AI teaching assistants, noting the overwhelming response as evidence that AI is becoming a global people’s movement, whose success depends on international collaboration. Ambani outlined the transformative potential of AI, calling it a driver of “super abundance” that can enhance knowledge, efficiency, and productivity, with the best yet to come. He asserted that India is poised to emerge as one of the world’s leading AI powers in the 21st century. Drawing parallels with Jio’s role in connecting India to the internet era, he said the company is now connecting the nation to the “intelligence era,” delivering AI capabilities to citizens, industries, and social development initiatives. Ambani described AI as a groundbreaking technology that enables human-like systems capable of learning, speaking, analysing, moving, and producing autonomously, powering machines and systems to operate smarter and faster. He also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the guiding force and philosophical leader of the summit.

While addressing the AI Impact Summit 2026 on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron urged India to consider joining global efforts to restrict social media access for children under 15, calling it a crucial step to safeguard young users.

He said it would be encouraging if India adopted similar measures to strengthen online safety and create a more secure digital environment for children and teenagers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined a host of global leaders for a ceremonial group photo at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that artificial intelligence must remain accessible and inclusive. He underscored the need to democratise AI, saying it should be open to all and must not reduce people to mere data points or raw material for technological systems.

“We must democratise AI. It must become a medium for inclusion and empowerment, particularly for the Global South,” he said while addressing the AI Impact Summit on Thursday in New Delhi .

At the AI Impact Summit 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that artificial intelligence should not be seen as a threat, but as India’s destiny and future.

He stressed the importance of child safety in the AI space, calling for family-friendly and secure AI environments.

Highlighting India’s growing technological potential, he noted that three Indian companies have already launched AI models and apps, reflecting the talent of the nation’s youth.

Modi added that AI models developed in India can achieve global deployment, stressing on his call for “Design and Develop in India” to strengthen domestic innovation and leadership in artificial intelligence.

AI should be used for global common good, says PM Modi as he calls for open codes and transparency in artificial intelligence.

“We must make skilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning a mass movement. The future of work will be inclusive, trusted, and human-centric. If we move forward together, artificial intelligence will elevate the potential of humanity,” says PM Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the MANAV vision for artificial intelligence at the AI Impact Summit, presenting a framework for a human-centric approach to technology:

• M – moral and ethical systems

• A – accountable governance

• N – national sovereignty

• A – accessible and inclusive

• V – valid and legitimate

The vision aims to ensure that AI development aligns with ethical standards, transparency, inclusivity, and national interests.

No country has built a digital system like India, says France’s Macron.

Emmanuel Macron has urged stronger action against digital abuse and tighter social media restrictions for children.

His comments follow a troubling trend on X (Twitter), where the AI chatbot Grok was reportedly prompted to generate sexualized images of women and minors.

Highlighting the need for online safeguards, Macron said, “We must protect our children, especially from content online which is legally forbidden in the real world,” calling for stricter controls on digital platforms targeting young users.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes World leaders at India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

OpenAI is also set to expand its footprint in India by opening new offices in Bengaluru and Mumbai later this year, adding to its current base in New Delhi.

“India is already leading the way in AI adoption, and with its homegrown tech talent, optimism about what AI can do for the country, and strong government support, it is well placed to help shape its future and how democratic AI is adopted at scale. Through OpenAI for India, we’re working together to build the infrastructure, skills, and local partnerships needed to build AI with India, for India, and in India, ” said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.

António Guterres called for stronger capacity building in developing countries and increased financial support to ensure equitable progress in artificial intelligence. He stressed that AI must remain a shared global resource and should not be concentrated in the hands of a few nations or billionaires.

He also urged that data centres transition to clean energy sources and emphasised that AI systems must be developed and deployed in a way that ensures safety and benefits for everyone.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai was among the keynote speakers on Day 4 of the AI Impact Summit 2026 in India, where he reflected on the country’s growing influence in the global technology landscape.

The Alphabet chief pointed to India as a key driver of innovation, emphasising its strong foundation for growth and its role in shaping the next wave of technological transformation.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, in his keynote address at the AI Impact Summit 2026, emphasised India’s critical importance in the global artificial intelligence landscape.

Amodei noted that India is uniquely positioned to both harness the opportunities offered by AI and address the potential risks associated with its rapid advancement, underscoring the country’s central role in shaping the future of the technology.

“Welcome to the first AI summit in the global south and the biggest AI summit so far. We have participation from 118 countries. Thank you all for making this summit a grand success…PM Narendra Modi believes that the true value of technology lies in ensuring that its benefits reach the masses. Our Prime Minister’s vision is to democratise technology, deploy it at scale, make it accessible to all..,” says Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the summit.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen engaging with global leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

The prime minister is set to inaugurate the summit shortly at Bharat Mandapam, marking the official opening of the high-profile gathering focused on artificial intelligence and its global impact.

Neha Singh prided herself on her ability to connect, inspire, and elevate others through her command of language. However, the Galgotias University professor’s communication skills landed her in trouble at the India AI Impact summit over claims of ownership of a Chinese robotic dog.

Read the full report here .

Traffic snarls have been reported from across central Delhi after special traffic measures were enforced for the AI Impact Summit 2026. Both commuters and summit attendees took to X to share accounts of prolonged delays, confusing diversions, and disruptions along major routes near Bharat Mandapam.

A post by Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) said heavy congestion at ITO slowed vehicular movement, causing significant delays. Meanwhile, Asian News International (ANI) posted visuals showing traffic build-up at multiple locations, including Rajaji Marg, after the special traffic arrangements came into force for the summit.

Ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, IndiaAI has issued fresh advisories for delegates to ensure hassle-free access to the venue. In a post on X, India AI said, “As we prepare for an important day at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, delegates are requested to review the latest access and travel advisories for smooth entry to Bharat Mandapam.”

“Plan your arrival in advance, carry valid credentials, and follow on-ground guidance from security and event teams. Your cooperation will help ensure a safe and seamless experience for everyone,” it added.

Tech leaders at the AI Summit told Firstpost that building reliable data infrastructure is emerging as one of the biggest hurdles to scaling artificial intelligence. They stressed that AI’s success depends heavily on high-quality, well-organised, and accessible data, calling on governments and companies to invest in stronger data systems.

Read the full report here .

India marked a major milestone in its artificial intelligence journey, with over 2.5 lakh citizens pledging to use AI responsibly at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. A total of 2,50,946 pledges were recorded within just 24 hours between February 16 and 17, earning the country a Guinness World Record. The initiative saw strong participation from students nationwide under the IndiaAI Mission, reinforcing a commitment to ethical, inclusive, and accountable AI use.

Final preparations are underway at Bharat Mandapam as PM Narendra Modi gets ready to address the AI Impact Summit 2026.

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised India’s rapid technological progress, saying the country is strongly positioned to emerge as a global leader in artificial intelligence. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Sunak highlighted India’s growing digital infrastructure, talent pool, and government push toward innovation as key strengths driving its AI ambitions.

Read the full report here .

Google has announced plans to connect India and the United States through new subsea cable routes as part of a $15 billion investment over the next five years. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, CEO Sundar Pichai said the project will strengthen AI connectivity between India, the US, and several regions across the southern hemisphere by expanding critical digital infrastructure.

Bill Gates will no longer deliver his keynote at the summit. Instead, the Gates Foundation will be represented by Ankur Vora, President of its Africa and India offices, who is scheduled to speak later today.

A colourful cultural performance at Bharat Mandapam showcased India’s rich heritage and enduring traditions, bringing a soulful and artistic dimension to the AI Impact Summit.

“We want all our allies, including India, to leverage our AI infrastructure,” says Sriram Krishnan, Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence.

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum hosted US envoy Sergio Gor for discussions with Indian industry leaders on artificial intelligence, strategic cooperation, trade, and strengthening digital connectivity between the two countries.

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary S Krishnan has said that they want genuine and actual work to be reflected in the way that people exhibit in expos such as AI Summit 2026 and a code should be followed.

Talking to the press, he said misinformation cannot be encouraged. “The idea is not to sort of use this as an opportunity in any other fashion,” he added.

Following a complaint about a missing NeoSapien AI wearable at the AI Impact Summit venue, police arrested two contractual workers after reviewing CCTV footage. According to PTI, the stolen devices have been recovered and seized, and further investigation is ongoing.

PM Narendra Modi will begin the day by welcoming global leaders at Bharat Mandapam at 9:15 am, followed by a family photo. The opening ceremony of the India AI Impact Summit will start at 9:40 am, with Modi scheduled to deliver his keynote address at 10:25 am, as per CNN-News18.