New Delhi is set to host a landmark event in the global artificial intelligence landscape as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam on Thursday. This prestigious gathering, recognized as one of the largest international conferences focused on AI, promises to bring together world leaders, tech pioneers, and policymakers to shape the future of this transformative technology.
The Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed that PM Modi will grace the opening ceremony, commencing around 9:40 AM, where he is scheduled to deliver a keynote address until approximately 10:25 AM. The session will feature high-profile speeches from French President Emmanuel Macron and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, alongside prominent figures from global industry and technology sectors.
Prior to the formal inauguration, PM Modi will welcome international leaders at Bharat Mandapam, with a group photograph of dignitaries planned for around 9:15 AM. Following the opening, he will tour the India AI Impact Expo at about 11 AM alongside other world leaders. This expansive exhibition showcases pavilions from various nations, highlighting cutting-edge AI-driven innovations and emerging technological solutions from around the globe.
In the afternoon, PM Modi will participate in a leaders’ plenary session, uniting heads of state, ministers, and senior representatives from multilateral organizations. Discussions are expected to emphasize national and international priorities in AI, including governance frameworks, infrastructure expansion, and strategies for global collaboration.
The day’s engagements culminate in a CEO Roundtable at 5:30 PM, where PM Modi will engage with top executives from leading global technology and industry firms, as well as senior government officials. Key topics will likely revolve around investment opportunities, research partnerships, resilient supply chains, and the large-scale deployment of AI systems across diverse sectors.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 aims to harness AI’s revolutionary potential through collaborative strategies, fostering innovation, responsible governance, and cross-border partnerships. It serves as a platform for global leaders, policymakers, and tech experts to deliberate on accelerating economic growth, enhancing governance, and driving social progress via AI.
Aligning global AI initiatives with India’s civilizational ethos of ‘Sarva Jan Hitaya, Sarva Jan Sukhaya’ – welfare and happiness for all – the summit promotes a humane approach to AI development. As the fourth edition in the series, following events in the UK (2023), South Korea (2024), and France (2025), this summit underscores India’s rising prominence in steering the global AI agenda.