The AI Impact Summit 2026 will open at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on February 16, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to inaugurate the event. The five-day global summit will run until February 20 and is expected to bring together leaders, technology CEOs, policymakers and innovators from over 100 countries.
While the summit is being held in the national capital, its outcomes are expected to influence emerging tech ecosystems across India, including Guwahati and Assam’s growing startup and digital innovation space.
The AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, bringing together global leaders, tech CEOs and policymakers from over 100 countries. Inaugurated by PM Modi, the summit focuses on inclusive, human-centric AI development, with implications for emerging tech hubs like Guwahati and Northeast India.
A Global AI Gathering With India at the Centre
The summit marks the first time a major global AI conference of this scale is being hosted in the Global South. According to reports, participation is expected from 15–20 Heads of Government, over 50 ministers, and more than 40 global CEOs.
Prominent attendees include Sam Altman, Sundar Pichai, Dario Amodei, and Mukesh Ambani.
PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the summit’s leaders’ segment on February 19 and may also address a CEO roundtable during the event.
India AI Impact Expo 2026 to Run Alongside Summit
Alongside the summit, the India AI Impact Expo 2026 will be held from February 16 to 20.
The trade exhibition is expected to feature:
- Over 840 exhibitors
- National delegations
- Global tech companies
- AI startups
- Ministerial groups
- Research institutions
Pavilions from 13 countries, including Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy, will showcase international AI collaborations.
More than 500 side events are expected to be organised during the summit week.
Why This Matters for Guwahati and Assam
Although the summit is being hosted in New Delhi, its policy direction and global partnerships could shape AI adoption across Tier-2 cities like Guwahati.
Guwahati has seen increasing activity in:
- EdTech and digital education platforms
- AI-assisted media and content production
- Government-led digital governance initiatives
- Startup incubation programmes
With AI increasingly integrated into education, healthcare, logistics, and governance, local startups and institutions in Assam may benefit from policy announcements and collaborations emerging from the summit.
Technology experts in Guwahati note that events of this scale often influence funding flows, research grants, and innovation partnerships across states.
Theme: Human-Centric AI Development
Prime Minister Modi described the summit’s theme, “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya (Welfare for All, Happiness for All)”, as reflecting India’s commitment to inclusive and responsible AI development.
The summit builds on previous global AI meetings, including:
- AI Action Summit in Paris
- A convening in Seoul in 2024
- The inaugural AI summit at Bletchley Park, Britain, in 2023
India’s hosting of this edition signals its expanding role in global AI governance discussions.
What Happens Next?
The summit will continue through February 20, with key announcements expected during the leaders’ segment and CEO interactions.
For Guwahati’s technology students, startups, and policy observers, the next step will be monitoring how national AI frameworks and global collaborations translate into state-level initiatives and funding opportunities.
The event positions India at the centre of global AI discussions, developments that could influence innovation ecosystems from Delhi to Guwahati.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the AI Impact Summit 2026 being held?
The summit will take place from February 16 to February 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Who will attend the AI Impact Summit?
The event is expected to host leaders from over 100 countries, including Heads of Government, ministers, global CEOs, and AI innovators.
How does this affect Guwahati?
While the summit is in Delhi, its AI policy direction and collaborations could influence startups, digital governance, and innovation ecosystems in Guwahati and Assam.
