India’s ascent in artificial intelligence hinges on building a cohesive ecosystem rather than sporadic successes, declared Deepak Bagla, head of NITI Aayog’s flagship Atal Innovation Mission, during a key event in the capital.
Speaking on Wednesday, Bagla detailed AIM’s efforts in linking startups with mentors, innovators with funding sources, and policies with real-world applications. This synergy elevates AI from a mere tool to a transformative national force, enabling India to lead the global AI revolution by 2047.
The recent AI Impact Summit 2026 brought this vision to life, spotlighting parallel progress in policy frameworks and community-level innovations. Central to the event was the AI Tinkerpreneur Showcase, featuring 50 elite teams from nationwide Atal Tinkering Labs.
Targeting pressing issues in health, farming, environmental sustainability, learning, inclusivity, and governance, these student-led AI projects illustrated the depth of India’s budding talent pool.
Developed with Intel’s partnership, the AI Tinkerpreneur program has engaged over 12,000 teams, fostering AI skills and startup mindsets among schoolchildren. The summit’s rigorous selection process elevated the best 50 for a national platform.
The ‘AI by Her’ session celebrated female ATL participants, who shared inspiring stories of navigating challenges to deliver impactful AI solutions and establish their presence in the ecosystem.
Atal Tinkering Labs’ involvement signals seamless alignment between local experimentation and national AI ambitions. These young trailblazers from schools are fueling India’s tech entrepreneurship, ensuring the nation pioneers AI innovations for the world.