New Delhi is buzzing with groundbreaking discussions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, a five-day extravaganza drawing global experts and companies. On the third day, policymakers, industry leaders, and startup innovators gathered to showcase AI solutions aimed at transforming everyday lives.
The summit’s core mission is clear: make artificial intelligence accessible beyond corporate giants, reaching every corner of society. Vishal Kumar Dev, Additional Chief Secretary of Odisha’s Energy, Electronics, and IT Department, emphasized this in an exclusive interview. ‘This summit positions India as a leader in AI for the common good,’ he stated, highlighting the democratization of AI resources.
Odisha leads the charge as India’s first state with a dedicated AI policy aligned with national goals, prioritizing health, education, agriculture, and disaster management. Dev noted the state’s massive push for Odia language datasets and a recent $2.3 billion MoU for a sovereign AI facility.
Manoj Verma from Lyra India, a French multinational in payments, shared how AI will supercharge digital transactions—making them faster, safer, and fraud-resistant. Their ‘Digital Payment Mitra’ initiative educates college students on secure usage, bridging urban-rural divides.
TechShlok’s CEO Ayush Jain unveiled a $22 Linux computer for edge AI, freeing companies from pricey imports like Nvidia. Overrule.ai’s Dr. Suvidatt Sundaram is empowering Supreme Court lawyers with AI for drafting and research, with global expansion plans.
Omnipresent Robot Tech’s Akash Sinha praised government support for ‘Make in India’ startups, urging youth to upskill in AI. University of East London’s Dr. Hasan Beg discussed AI-renewable energy projects with IIT Delhi and Madras, preparing future generations for tech-driven energy systems.
As the summit progresses, India’s stride in AI investment and partnerships signals a new era of inclusive growth and employment opportunities.