The buzz in New Delhi intensified on day two of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, as global experts debated AI’s trajectory amid rapid advancements. Ranjana Chopra from the Ministry of Culture told IANS this gathering unites government bodies, entrepreneurs, and corporations to flaunt cutting-edge AI projects.
A star attraction was the Tribal Affairs Ministry’s AI-powered translator for four indigenous languages, which captivated the audience and sparked partnership inquiries from various organizations.
For India’s youth, the summit is transformative. Chopra pointed out how it exposes them to AI fixes for real-world issues, inspires ambition, builds connections, and opens career doors in a booming field.
Lt. Gen. Dr. SP Kochar of COAI delved into telecom’s pivotal role. “AI thrives on our networks,” he asserted. While data resides in centers, telecom ferries it to users. 5G’s commercial edge remains elusive, but AI-driven apps will catalyze growth by boosting usage.
Practical AI showcased here will drive network upgrades, Kochar forecasted. Prioritizing rural connectivity through fiber and ROW rules is non-negotiable. “AI can’t function without links,” he urged, envisioning a connected India where AI enables home-based productivity nationwide.
Radha Ramaswami Basu of IMERIT shifted gears to AI maturity. Beyond giant models, the focus is usability via human-AI synergy. “Domain experts must loop in,” she insisted, targeting sectors like farming and health with tailored small models.
Over eight years, IMERIT created thousands of jobs by infusing AI with pro knowledge—from actuaries to agronomists. Basu illustrated: crafting AI for accounting demands chartered accountants’ input, elevating models from generic to precise.