New Delhi is positioning itself at the forefront of responsible artificial intelligence, thanks to overwhelming global participation in the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026. The government highlighted this momentum on Sunday, underscoring how the event embodies the ‘People, Planet, and Progress’ philosophy.
Ahead of the summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam and Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, finalists for three flagship global impact challenges—AI for All, AI by Her, and YouthAI—have been announced. These initiatives aim to foster AI solutions that deliver positive societal impacts and address worldwide needs.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) reported a staggering response: over 4,650 applications from more than 60 countries. After rigorous multi-stage evaluations, 70 teams have been shortlisted to showcase their innovations at the grand finale on February 16 and 17.
In the AI for All Global Impact Challenge, over 1,350 entries poured in from 60+ nations. The focus was on scalable AI tools for health, agriculture, climate, governance, education, and financial inclusion. Top 20 teams developed breakthroughs like AI-powered infection diagnostics, soil quality analyzers, climate risk platforms, digital health checkers, cybersecurity solutions, industrial efficiency boosters, and educational aids.
These innovations highlight AI’s potential to drive equitable growth, especially in the Global South, by enhancing public services and promoting inclusive development.
The AI by Her challenge drew over 800 applications from 50+ countries, championing women-led AI ventures. Thirty top female entrepreneurs are advancing solutions in health, sustainable development, financial inclusion, employment, agriculture, education, and digital commerce. Highlights include AI for cancer and eye diagnostics, multilingual medical decision aids, voice-to-EMR platforms, nutrition tech, credit intelligence systems, and ESG automation.
This initiative reflects India’s commitment to inclusive digital progress, empowering women to lead in the global AI ecosystem. As the summit approaches, India’s rise as a beacon for ethical AI innovation is undeniable, setting the stage for transformative global collaborations.