Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of innovation and transformation. India is on the cusp of a new era, where technology is transforming lives and accelerating its shift toward an AI-powered economy. No longer confined to research labs or large corporations, AI is now impacting citizens at every level. From improving access to healthcare in remote areas to helping farmers make informed decisions about their crops, AI is making everyday life simpler, smarter, and more connected. It is revolutionizing classrooms with personalized learning, making cities cleaner and safer, and improving public services through faster, data-driven governance.

The technology ecosystem and AI in India

India's approach is based on open, affordable, and accessible AI, ensuring that innovation benefits all of society. By focusing on building a robust and inclusive AI ecosystem, the government is moving forward under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision: "Build AI in India and make AI work for India." Initiatives such as Mission India AI and AI Centers of Excellence are central to this transformation. They expand access to computing power, support research, and help startups and institutions create solutions that directly benefit the population. India's linguistic and cultural diversity positions it well to advance multilingual and multimodal AI systems tailored to the diverse needs of its people. In India, AI supports large-scale inclusive growth and aligns with the Viksit Bharat vision of a developed India by 2047. Key sectors adopting AI include industry and automotive, consumer goods and retail, financial services, insurance, banking, and healthcare.

 

India’s overall technology ecosystem is thriving alongside these AI advancements, with annual revenues projected to exceed US$280 billion this year. More than 6 million people are employed in the technology and AI ecosystem. The country boasts over 1,800 global competence centers, with more than 500 specializing in AI. India has approximately 180,000 startups; nearly 89% of new startups launched last year used AI in their products or services. According to a recent BCG survey, around 26% of Indian companies have reached large-scale AI maturity. AI is a key driver of India’s development, as it strengthens governance and improves the quality of public services.

As India builds an inclusive AI ecosystem, its growing global recognition reflects this progress. Organizations such as the Stanford AI Index rank India among the top four countries in terms of AI skills, capabilities, and policies. India is also the second-largest contributor to AI projects on GitHub, highlighting the strength of its developer community.

India's AI journey reflects a clear vision and decisive action. From expanding IT infrastructure to promoting local models and supporting startups, the country is building a robust AI ecosystem that benefits citizens and drives innovation. Initiatives in agriculture, health, education, and governance demonstrate practical applications with real-world impact. Strategic initiatives such as the IndiaAI mission, Digital ShramSetu (a nationwide initiative to scale up cutting-edge technologies in India's informal sector), and the development of foundational models ensure that innovation benefits all citizens while fostering research, skills, and entrepreneurship. These efforts provide a solid foundation for India to establish itself as a global leader in AI while advancing the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. With a strong STEM workforce, a rapidly expanding research ecosystem, and a growing digital infrastructure, India is positioning itself to harness AI for economic growth, social progress, and the long-term vision of a developed nation by 2047.

The Summit on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence

Building on its development-driven approach to AI, India is hosting the India-AI Impact 2026 Summit from February 16-20, 2026, in New Delhi. This five-day program will cover policy, research, industry, and public engagement. It will be the fourth summit in the series, following those hosted by the UK, South Korea, and France, and the first global AI summit to be held in the Global South. The summit will bring together world leaders, policymakers, technology companies, innovation leaders, and experts to present and discuss the transformative potential of AI in governance, innovation, and sustainable development, and to reflect on the emerging consensus that the future of AI must be inclusive, transparent, and collaboratively governed. The summit will focus on strengthening global collaboration, promoting responsible and ethical AI, and accelerating AI adoption in priority sectors of the economy. It aims to promote an impact-driven, human-centered approach to AI, with an emphasis on achieving measurable social and economic results.

As the summit title suggests, we aim to shift the focus of the global AI debate, which at the previous summit centered on “AI actions,” to the “impact” that AI has and will have on all aspects of our lives. The summit will be structured around three fundamental pillars, or “sutras”—a Sanskrit term referring to the guiding principles or essential threads that connect wisdom and action. The three Sutras—people, planet, and progress—will guide how AI can be harnessed through multilateral cooperation for the benefit of all. AI must serve humanity in all its diversity, preserving dignity and ensuring inclusivity. AI innovation must also align with environmental stewardship and sustainability. Similarly, the benefits of AI must be shared equitably to foster global development and prosperity.

Building on the three fundamental sutras, the AI Impact Summit deliberations will be structured around seven themes: human capital; inclusion for social empowerment; safe and trustworthy AI; resilience, innovation, and efficiency; science; democratization of AI resources; and AI for economic growth and social good. These themes represent key areas of multilateral cooperation that channel collective efforts toward inclusive and sustainable societal outcomes. Together, they provide a comprehensive framework for countries, international organizations, and stakeholders to align their AI strategies, promote shared learning, and deploy AI solutions that maximize collective benefits while addressing common challenges. The summit sessions will bring together representatives from industry, academia, and international partners to examine use cases, share policy experiences, and identify practical approaches for development-oriented AI deployment. The strong global response to the summit is reflected in the receipt of more than 700 proposals.

The flagship events of the 2026 AI Impact Summit include a plenary session for leaders, CEO roundtables, innovation challenges for young people, and high-impact research symposia. We expect tangible and scalable results, whether in pandemic forecasting, agricultural efficiency, climate monitoring, or improving digital skills for underserved communities. The India AI Impact Expo is expected to host over 300 exhibitors from 30 countries, spread across more than 10 themed pavilions. For more information, please visit https://impact.indiaai.gov.in .

Building on the conclusions of major international AI forums, India's approach through the 2026 AI Impact Summit will translate global discussions into concrete development outcomes, aligned with national priorities defined within the framework of the IndiaAI mission and the Digital India initiative . It will strengthen multilateral cooperation while fostering the establishment of practical, human-centered AI frameworks relevant to Indian governance, the economy, and society.

The Atlas of Artificial Intelligence

The Artificial Intelligence Atlas is a key document stemming from the 2026 India AI Impact Summit and will be released at the Summit on February 17, 2026. It comprises a series of thematic dossiers documenting practical applications of artificial intelligence in priority sectors. It will serve as a reference for practitioners and stakeholders, and will foster continued collaboration and the adoption of responsible, development-oriented AI solutions beyond the Summit.

Phenomenal reaction    

The Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit generated a phenomenal response, with numerous confirmations from heads of state and government across more than 100 countries. The industry also responded enthusiastically, and over 100 CEOs, including leading global figures in the technology sector, are expected to attend.

Enthusiastic participation from Senegal

Senegal is among India's closest partners, and the two countries have long enjoyed very close and cordial relations. We are delighted that Senegal is participating in this summit with a strong delegation, in line with the importance given to AI in President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye's New Deal on Technology, which testifies to the wisdom and foresight of its leaders. The lessons they learn will certainly contribute to promoting the development of an ethical and inclusive framework for AI that guarantees transparency, data protection, and digital sovereignty while fostering innovation and competitiveness. The AI Atlas could, in particular, prove useful in accelerating the transition from laboratory to market by helping to structure a dynamic ecosystem fueled by strong synergy between startups, researchers, and industry, facilitating the creation, funding, and deployment of AI solutions tailored to local needs in the areas of agriculture, health, climate, and the digitalization of the informal sector.

We extend our best wishes to Senegal for its participation in the 2026 Summit on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence!

For several years, India has offered full scholarships for short-term training in AI, machine learning, and data analytics through its flagship technical and economic cooperation program, ITEC, which reaches 160 partner countries in the Global South. We hope that Senegal will make greater use of the ITEC program, not only for AI courses but also for those covering many other areas of interest and relevance to the development needs of countries in the Global South.

As a long-standing and ardent advocate of South-South cooperation and solidarity, India stands firmly with Senegal and is ready to support and assist it in this ambitious and exciting adventure of deploying AI and implementing the New Technology Deal to improve the lives of millions of our Senegalese brothers and sisters.