Subhechcha Ganguly 
The AI Impact Summit 2026 commenced on Monday at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, drawing attention for its sheer scale and global representation. Running from February 16 to 20, the summit is being held alongside the India AI Impact Expo 2026, an experiential showcase organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, with the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) serving as custodian.
Described on the official website as a platform paving the way for a technological revolution, the summit aims to unlock unprecedented opportunities for innovation across diverse sectors.
Sprawling Across 70,000 Sq Metres
The India AI Impact Expo 2026 spans 10 arenas covering over 70,000 square metres at Bharat Mandapam. The event brings together global technology giants, startups, academic institutions, research bodies, government ministries, and international collaborators.
13 Country Pavilions and 300+ Exhibitions
Officials confirmed the presence of 13 country pavilions, underscoring international cooperation in artificial intelligence. Participating nations include Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan, and several African countries.
In addition, more than 300 curated exhibition pavilions and live demonstrations have been organised across three thematic “chakras” — People, Planet, and Progress — reflecting AI’s wide-ranging impact.
600+ Startups, 12 Indigenous Foundation Models
Over 600 startups are participating, many of which are developing globally competitive, population-scale AI solutions already deployed in real-world scenarios.
Under the IndiaAI Mission, the summit will also unveil 12 indigenous foundation models developed by Indian startups and consortia. These models are trained on Indian datasets and designed to cater to the country’s multilingual audience, covering all 22 official languages of India.
2.5 Lakh Visitors, 3,250+ Speakers
The India AI Impact Expo is expected to attract more than 2.5 lakh visitors, including international delegates. Across four days, the event will host over 500 sessions featuring keynote speeches, policy-driven panel discussions, and expert roundtables.
More than 3,250 speakers and panellists are set to participate, making the summit one of the largest AI gatherings globally.
