New Delhi witnessed a landmark gathering as global leaders and experts converged for the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The event, hailed as a resounding success, underscored India’s rising stature in artificial intelligence. Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, celebrated the summit as a beacon of inclusive AI development.
“This has been an incredible AI summit,” Solomon declared. “Canada and India have truly strengthened their partnership. By hosting the first AI summit for the Global South, India demonstrates that AI is for everyone. It paves the way for exciting new collaborations between all nations, particularly Canada and India.” He highlighted upcoming high-level meetings, noting that Canada’s Prime Minister will meet Prime Minister Modi in just two weeks, with significant investments already underway.
The summit drew diverse voices. Cormac Whitley, COO of Data.org, was inspired by the youthful energy and innovative ideas from India. “Hearing speakers and seeing young talents has been eye-opening about India’s AI potential and our shared future,” she said.
Verena Kontschneider, CEO of OpenData.ch Switzerland, emphasized responsible AI. “This experience reveals the next chapter of AI: safe and accountable. We’ve discussed implementation challenges for practices debated over the past decade,” she noted, focusing on practical governance.
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO Deputy Director-General, addressed healthcare applications. In regions lacking specialists like radiologists or pathologists, AI excels in image recognition for X-rays and slides, provided it’s trained on quality data. “We must treat AI tools like new drugs—with clinical trials to assess efficacy and safety before scaling,” she urged. Democratizing AI requires government-led standards, not corporate control, especially for public good in India.
Brazil’s Ambassador to India, Kenneth Felix Hazineksky da Nobrega, praised deepening ties. President Lula’s massive delegation, including over 11 cabinet ministers and 300 business leaders, elevates bilateral relations. “PM Modi and President Lula are not just colleagues but true friends,” he said. Key areas include AI, digital partnerships, defense, agriculture, energy, and health. India is positioning itself as a new AI hub, integrating the Global South into this transformative wave.
Tom Johnstone CBE, Chairman of Combient, represented Sweden and his firm focused on industrial AI applications. The summit solidified India’s role in fostering equitable AI growth worldwide.