The India AI Impact Summit 2026 kicked off in New Delhi on Monday, with senior officials stressing that artificial intelligence is indispensable for achieving inclusive economic growth in India.
Chief Economic Adviser V. Anant Nageswaran painted a compelling vision, warning that procrastination in AI adoption could severely limit India’s economic choices. “To promote inclusive development, India needs to leverage AI benefits right away,” he asserted.
Nageswaran envisioned India pioneering a model where human and machine intelligence mutually enhance prosperity. He urged all stakeholders—government bodies, businesses, educators, and regulators—to collaborate as ‘Team India.’
Key priorities include bolstering basic education and widespread dissemination of premium skills. “AI advancement requires proactive measures, strong political commitment, and enhanced capacities,” he noted.
Reforms in education and skilling must lead the charge, followed by growth in labor-heavy services and removal of bureaucratic barriers. Failure to act decisively risks widespread instability, Nageswaran warned.
MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan reinforced the need for people-focused AI. “Ensure democratic access to AI resources, keeping humans central to the transformation,” he said, positioning AI as a catalyst for growth in India and the Global South.
This summit marks a pivotal moment, galvanizing collective action to make AI a tool for shared prosperity rather than division.