New Delhi, February 18. In a visionary address, Deepak Bagla, Director of NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), emphasized that India’s true strength in artificial intelligence will emerge not from isolated achievements, but from a robust, interconnected ecosystem.
Bagla highlighted how AIM is forging strong bridges between startups and mentors, innovators and investors, as well as policy and practice. ‘When these elements connect seamlessly, AI transcends being just a technology—it transforms into a national movement,’ he stated. This integrated approach positions India not merely as a user of AI, but as a global leader under the ‘Developed India 2047’ vision.
The AI Impact Summit 2026 showcased AIM’s pivotal role, demonstrating India’s AI journey advancing simultaneously at grassroots and policy levels. A standout feature was the ‘AI Tinkerpreneur Showcase,’ where 50 student teams from Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) across the country presented their AI-driven innovations.
These projects addressed critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, climate change, education, accessibility, and public services, underscoring the practical impact of young minds on national challenges.
The AI Tinkerpreneur initiative, powered in collaboration with Intel, aims to instill AI literacy, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit in school students. Over 12,000 student teams from across India participated, with the top 50 selected through rigorous multi-stage processes to showcase at the summit.
Another highlight was the ‘AI by Her’ segment, where girl students from ATLs shared their AI solutions and personal journeys. They recounted overcoming obstacles to carve confident identities within India’s AI ecosystem.
This grassroots innovation from ATLs reflects a powerful synergy between on-ground creativity and India’s broader AI vision. Young innovators from schools nationwide are actively contributing to the country’s technological and entrepreneurial growth, paving the way for a future dominated by homegrown AI leadership.