PIB:- Published on 8 FEB 2026
Why is it in the news?
India has announced the roadmap and thematic framework of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled from 16–20 February 2026 in New Delhi. It will be the first major global AI summit hosted in the Global South, drawing participation from over 100 countries, heads of government, ministers and global technology leaders.
The summit introduces a new governance model structured around the Seven Chakras (working groups) and Three Sutras (People, Planet, Progress), positioning India as a central actor in shaping responsible and inclusive AI. The event marks India’s attempt to move the global AI debate from competition and regulation toward measurable social and economic impact.
Background and Context
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming a decisive force in global economic restructuring, governance reform and geopolitical influence. For India, AI is not only an industrial technology but a strategic instrument to democratise access, improve service delivery and accelerate development. With its large population, linguistic diversity and expanding digital public infrastructure, India provides a unique testing ground for inclusive AI systems.
Hosting the summit signals India’s ambition to transition from a technology services hub to a norm-shaper in global AI governance, especially representing the priorities of developing nations. The summit aligns with India’s broader philosophy of welfare, equity and technological sovereignty.
Key contextual drivers include:
- Rapid AI adoption across sectors such as agriculture, health and governance
- Expansion of India’s digital public infrastructure
- Rising global debate on AI safety, ethics and sustainability
- Growing concentration of AI resources in a few global corporations
- Demand from Global South nations for inclusive AI frameworks
Core Philosophy: The Three Sutras
The summit is anchored in three guiding principles that connect ethics with policy.
People
AI must serve human dignity and social inclusion. The People Sutra emphasizes that technology should enhance trust, protect rights and widen access to public services rather than deepen inequality.
- Human-centric AI governance
- Protection from bias and exclusion
- Accessibility across languages and abilities
- Trust-building through transparency
Planet
AI growth must align with environmental sustainability. Large-scale AI infrastructure has significant energy implications, and the summit links digital expansion with climate responsibility.
- Energy-efficient computing
- Sustainable infrastructure design
- AI for climate resilience
- Responsible resource consumption
Progress
Technological advancement should translate into inclusive development. The focus is not only innovation but ensuring its economic and social benefits are widely shared.
- Workforce capacity building
- Innovation-led productivity
- Inclusive economic expansion
- Long-term development outcomes
The Seven Chakras: Action Framework
The summit operationalizes its philosophy through seven thematic working groups.
1. Human Capital
India is positioning itself as a global AI talent hub while managing workforce transition. The Human Capital Chakra focuses on preparing societies for an AI-driven economy by expanding skill ecosystems and ensuring equitable participation. India’s rapid growth in AI hiring and training signals a shift toward knowledge leadership. The emphasis is not just elite expertise but widespread reskilling to reduce displacement risks.
Key highlights:
- India among top global AI skill markets
- 33% annual AI hiring growth
- Government-funded AI research scholarships
- Global startup acceleration partnerships
- Focus on workforce transition and reskilling
2. Inclusion for Social Empowerment
This Chakra integrates AI into social infrastructure to serve diverse populations. India’s multilingual and voice-based platforms show how AI can overcome literacy and language barriers. Inclusion is treated as a design principle rather than an afterthought.
Key initiatives:
- BHASHINI multilingual AI platform
- Voice AI tools for farmers
- AI healthcare collaborations
- Informal workforce empowerment
- Vernacular digital governance
3. Safe and Trusted AI
Trust is central to adoption. India is building institutional safeguards to manage AI risks without stifling innovation. Governance frameworks aim to balance safety with technological growth.
Key measures:
- IndiaAI Safety Institute
- Responsible AI research projects
- National AI governance architecture
- Expert policy advisory committees
- Transparency and accountability standards
4. Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency
AI expansion is being linked with sustainability and infrastructure resilience. India is investing in efficient systems that minimize environmental costs while expanding capacity.
Key developments:
- Green data infrastructure
- Climate-conscious computing
- Major global tech investments
- Energy-efficient AI design
- Infrastructure modernization
5. Science
AI is accelerating public-sector research and scientific collaboration. India is using AI to enhance weather prediction, energy planning and research translation into real-world benefits.
Key progress:
- AI-based climate forecasting
- Energy modeling tools
- Increased R&D investment
- Open science frameworks
- National research funding expansion
6. Democratising AI Resources
Access to compute and data remains concentrated globally. India is building shared AI infrastructure to reduce dependency and widen participation.
Key milestones:
- Sovereign GPU clusters
- National AI dataset platform
- AI data labs in Tier-2/3 cities
- Supercomputing expansion
- Subsidised compute access
7. AI for Economic Growth and Social Good
AI is being scaled for measurable development outcomes. India’s sectoral deployments show how AI can directly improve productivity and service delivery.
Key impacts:
- 30–50% agricultural productivity gains
- AI-driven healthcare diagnostics
- Education system modernization
- Digital justice platforms
- Rapid AI startup ecosystem growth
Geopolitical Significance
The summit is strategically important beyond technology. It elevates India’s role in global digital diplomacy and provides a Global South-led platform for AI governance.
Key implications:
- First major Global South AI convening
- Alternative voice to Western AI dominance
- Platform for emerging economies
- Expansion of India’s tech soft power
- Bridge between developed and developing nations
Key Challenges
Despite ambitious goals, structural challenges remain:
- Energy burden of AI infrastructure
- Data privacy enforcement gaps
- Job displacement risks
- Global AI competition
- Regulatory harmonization difficulties
- Addressing these will determine whether the summit produces lasting impact.
