This landmark event, starting Monday and wrapping up on February 20, marks a historic first for the Global South. It assembles world leaders, ministers, tech CEOs, researchers, and industry heads to deliberate AI’s role in fostering inclusive growth, robust public systems, and sustainable progress.

Over 600 high-profile participants are in attendance, including 20+ heads of state, 60+ ministers, and 500 global AI influencers from academia, startups, and philanthropy.

PM Modi’s February 19 inaugural speech will spotlight India’s blueprint for responsible AI collaboration worldwide.

Stealing the spotlight are three flagship challenges – AI for All, AI by Her, and YUVAi – designed to accelerate high-impact, scalable AI solutions. Garnering 4,650+ entries from 60 countries, they’ve selected 70 finalists after stringent reviews.

These innovators will network with leaders, secure funding, and propel their projects nationally and globally.

Adding academic depth, February 18’s symposium with IIT Hyderabad will host 250 global research papers on AI’s expansive influences. Global figures like Estonia’s President Alar Karis and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will join discussions on AI safety, equitable access, scientific breakthroughs, and Global South partnerships.

The summit cements India’s rise as a beacon for ethical, inclusive AI advancement, promising transformative outcomes for humanity.

Launched during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, ‘AI for All: Catalyzing Jobs, Growth, and Opportunity’—a collaboration between Prosus, BCG, and MeitY—reframes AI as an enabler of productivity and equity rather than mere automation.

Crafted from insights gathered from policy leaders and industry specialists, the report insists that future growth depends on strategic AI deployment across institutions. It meticulously analyzes India’s stack of digital public goods like Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, UPI, and others, advocating their use to responsibly integrate AI at scale.

‘India has built world-class digital infrastructure and one of the largest AI talent pools. Now, we must convert these into institutionalized results,’ said Abhishek Singh, MeitY Additional Secretary and IndiaAI Mission CEO.

Experts like Rantala Chandrashekhar urged institutionalizing AI in everyday sectors from farms to finance, promising jobs and long-term efficiency if handled responsibly. Prosus India’s Sehraj Singh reinforced that availability alone won’t suffice—impactful implementation is key.

BCG’s Vipin V highlighted the imperative to treat AI as a core strategic capability, directly tied to measurable economic and performance outcomes.

As emerging markets look for paths to prosperity, this report charts a course for India to lead with inclusive AI adoption, driving jobs, growth, and opportunities for all.