India will host one of the most consequential global tech gatherings this decade as the AI Impact Summit 2026 takes over New Delhi from February 16 to 20. With more than 500 side events, a major industry expo, and delegations from around the world, the week will blend policy, research, business, and public engagement under a single roof.
What is the AI Impact Summit 2026?
The AI Impact Summit is the fourth edition of a global series launched to address both the promise and risks of frontier AI. After previous stops in the UK, Seoul, and Paris, this marks the first time the summit is being hosted in the Global South.India has framed the 2026 edition around the theme Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya, or welfare for all, happiness for all. The goals spotlight inclusive growth: using AI to empower people, positioning India as a global AI service provider, and democratizing access to compute, datasets, and algorithms.
Seven working groups, referred to as chakras, will steer outcomes across Resilience, Innovation, and Efficiency; Human Capital; Safe and Trusted AI; Science; Democratising AI Resources; Inclusion for Social Empowerment; and AI for Social Good and Economic Development.
Dates, time, and venue details
Summit week runs from February 16 to 20, with most sessions starting around 9:30 am, subject to venue access timings. The main summit days are February 19 and 20, when high-level engagements and declarations are expected.
Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi serves as the primary venue. Plenary sessions and key panels will run at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre and Sushma Swaraj Bhawan. The India AI Impact Expo will be staged in the Bharat Mandapam Exhibition Halls.
Some zones may be temporarily restricted for security or program needs. Check entry advisories and plan your arrival windows accordingly.
Summit agenda and day-by-day schedule
The agenda blends policy, research, industry showcases, and public programming. While items may be updated, the broad schedule is as follows.
February 16 to 18: Keynotes, compendia, research
February 16 will feature keynote addresses, policy-focused panels, expert roundtables, and the ceremonial inauguration of the India AI Expo. Public access to the Expo Arena on day one will be limited due to the Prime Minister’s inauguration; public entry opens from February 17.
February 17 deepens sector dialogues and introduces the Government’s Knowledge Compendia, including casebooks on AI in Health, Energy, Education, Agriculture, Gender Empowerment, and Disabilities. A seminar on applied AI is also scheduled.
February 18 centers on research and industry. A Research Symposium will gather academics and think tanks to present methods and evidence for policy. An industry session follows at Bharat Mandapam. Finalists of the AI by HER – Global Impact Challenge will demonstrate solutions for public-scale problems. A Summit Dinner is planned at the Convention Centre.
February 19 to 20: Main summit and GPAI councils
February 19 marks the formal opening of the main summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event at an invite-only ceremony at Bharat Mandapam. A Leaders’ Plenary and CEOs roundtable will follow. Registered attendees may visit the Expo Arena between 11 am and 6 pm, subject to security controls.
February 20 will convene member countries of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Council to align priorities and cooperation on responsible and inclusive AI. A final declaration is expected, with India advocating a trusted AI commons and a global governance framework.
Exhibitions, working groups, and who is attending
The summit doubles as a large-scale trade show, with more than 840 exhibitors spanning national delegations, ministries, tech companies, startups, and research labs. Expect product demos, solution showcases, and deal-making across the halls.
Government communications have flagged high-profile attendees, including Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, Demis Hassabis, Mukesh Ambani, Salil Parekh, Cristiano Amon, K Krithivasan, Julie Sweet, Matthew Prince, Dario Amodei, Sunil Bharti Mittal, and Alexandr Wang. Notably, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is reported to have pulled out due to unforeseen circumstances.
Each chakra working group will feed into outcomes that aim to balance innovation with safety, scale access to AI resources, and ensure inclusion across sectors and communities.
How to register for the AI Impact Summit 2026
Registration is free and required for entry. You can register through the official portal, the DigiYatra platform, or the India AI Impact Summit app.
Step-by-step on the web:
– Visit https://impact.indiaai.gov.in/registration
– Click Register Now
– Choose Delegate or Media Accreditation
– Fill in your details, including a photograph
– Verify your email via OTP and submit
You will receive a confirmation email and, upon approval, another email with a QR code. Bring a government-issued photo ID along with your badge or QR. International visitors must carry their passport. The QR code can be presented at Bharat Mandapam Gate 4 and Gate 10, and Sushma Swaraj Bhawan Gate 2.
Getting there: traffic, metro, and entry protocols
The venues generally operate 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. On February 16, the Expo Arena remains closed to visitors due to the Prime Minister’s 5:00 pm inauguration and opens to the public from February 17. On February 19, some sessions are restricted; the Expo is expected to be open 11:00 am to 6:00 pm for registered attendees.
Entry at Bharat Mandapam Gate 4 runs from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm; Gate 7 opens after 2:00 pm. Metro users should use Gate 10 at Pragati Maidan. Parking is limited; designated lots are at Purana Qila, the Delhi Zoo, and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, with shuttles to the venue.
Delhi Police advise avoiding corridors such as Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg, Janpath, Akbar Road, Safdarjung Road, Sher Shah Road, Subramania Bharti Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Teen Murti Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Sardar Patel Marg, Firoz Shah Road, Shanti Path, and Satya Marg during VIP movement.
Heading to the airport? Prefer NH-48 and the Sector-22 Dwarka Tunnel. For railway stations, use Ring Road, Ashram Chowk, and Vande Mataram Marg. Non-Delhi bound traffic will be diverted to the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways.
Livestreams, access rules, and on-site tips
If you cannot attend in person, livestream links for most sessions will be available on the IndiaAI website. Check daily for updates, as the agenda is tentative and subject to change.
All attendees must carry their QR code and valid ID for scanning at entry. Expect variable security holds, especially on February 19. Use the Metro where possible, and plan buffer time due to intermittent VIP movements and student exam traffic on February 17.
With a sweeping program, global speakers, and a vast expo floor, the AI Impact Summit 2026 promises a definitive look at how AI will shape economies, public services, and everyday life. Register early, map your sessions, and use public transport to make the most of the week in New Delhi.
