At the AI Impact Summit 2026 robots took centre stage. From Robo dogs to surgical machines and industrial bots, these systems are moving out of labs and into real life. We spoke to the builders behind the machines shaping the next wave of automation.


AI Impact Summit 2026: Robots Take Centre Stage

The Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) signed seven Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for enhancement of skills and infrastructure creation in Quantum Computing and AI sectors at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Friday (February 20, 2026). 


AI Impact Summit 2026: Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu To Sign 7 MoUs At The Summit

European leaders' strong turnout at the AI Impact Summit points at a pivot towards India as a partner in AI technology. With artificial intelligence's adoption lagging in Europe, EU nations seemingly see collaboration with India as key to shaping inclusive, globally relevant AI.


Big Tech Turns Its Focus To India; Cloud Giants Expand India Data Centers

At the February 2026 India AI Impact Summit, global leaders and experts are championing "AI for all" (सर्वजन हिताय, सर्वजन सुखाय) by focusing on building sovereign AI, ensuring inclusive growth for the Global South, and implementing robust regulations against job displacement. Key discussions emphasize developing homegrown infrastructure to reduce reliance on foreign technology, while Reliance Industries pledged ₹10 lakh crore for India's AI ecosystem.


AI Impact Summit 2026: What Are Experts Saying at India's AI Summit?

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pointed out the difference in the approach of various countries towards artificial intelligence and said he finds there is enormous optimism and trust towards AI in India, unlike in Western countries that still have a dominating feeling of anxiety for the emerging technology. Speaking at an event titled ‘Governing in the Age of AI: Sovereignty, Impact, and Strategy’ at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday, Sunak said that addressing this disparity in public confidence remains a critical challenge for leaders worldwide.&nbsp;In a fireside chat with Meta’s Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Sunak said, “Across the world, we’re seeing different attitudes towards AI. In countries like India, there’s enormous optimism and trust, and in Western countries, we’re seeing that anxiety is still the dominant feeling towards AI."&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/govt-extends-ai-impact-summit-by-a-day-amid-record-turnout-event-to-go-on-till-feb-21-1771411580595">Govt extends AI Impact Summit by a day amid record turnout, event to go on till Feb 21</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The former UK prime minister said bridging this divide would require more than technological progress alone and called for deliberate policy interventions to foster greater public trust.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I think closing that confidence gap is as much a policy task as it is a technical one,” he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>‘India a country with huge digital ambitions and capacity’</h2>&nbsp;Sunak described India as “a country with huge digital ambitions and capacity’ and underlined the extraordinary scale of recent AI investments. “This year, the large AI companies are going to spend 20 times more on developing this technology than the US did for the Manhattan Project,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sunak’s observations came in a fireside chat with Meta’s Alexandr Wang on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-hold-talks-with-google-ceo-sundar-pichai-at-india-ai-impact-summit-discuss-ai-innovation-and-talent-development-1771409823534">PM Modi hold talks with Google CEO Sundar Pichai at India AI Impact Summit; discuss AI innovation and talent development</a>&nbsp;The summit has brought together government policymakers, industry AI experts, academicians, technology innovators, and civil society representatives from across the world to advance global discussions on artificial intelligence.&nbsp;&nbsp;It aims to reflect on the transformative potential of AI, aligning with India’s national vision of ‘Sarvajana hitaye, sarvajana sukhaye’ (welfare for all, happiness for all) and the global principle of AI for Humanity.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/eci-announces-rajya-sabha-polls-for-37-seats-across-10-states-on-march-16-1771409050709">ECI announces Rajya Sabha polls for 37 seats across 10 states on March 16</a>&nbsp;<h2>‘There are more consumer AI startups in India than in US’</h2>&nbsp;Meta’s Chief AI Officer Wang also hailed India’s rising stature in the AI ecosystem and said, “I was at a dinner with a number of Indian founders and venture capitalists last night, and the statistic was that there are more consumer AI startups in India than in the United States.”&nbsp;Guided by the three foundational Sutras—People, Planet, and Progress—the India AI Impact Summit 2026 promotes human-centric AI that safeguards rights and ensures equitable benefits across societies, environmentally sustainable advancement of AI, and inclusive economic and technological progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Former UK PM Rishi Sunak described India as a country with huge digital ambitions and capacity and said this year, the large AI companies are going to spend 20 times more on developing this technology than the US did for the Manhattan Project.

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pointed out the difference in the approach of various countries towards artificial intelligence and said he finds there is enormous optimism and trust towards AI in India, unlike in Western countries that still have a dominating feeling of anxiety for the emerging technology. Speaking at an event titled ‘Governing in the Age of AI: Sovereignty, Impact, and Strategy’ at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday, Sunak said that addressing this disparity in public confidence remains a critical challenge for leaders worldwide. In a fireside chat with Meta’s Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Sunak said, “Across the world, we’re seeing different attitudes towards AI. In countries like India, there’s enormous optimism and trust, and in Western countries, we’re seeing that anxiety is still the dominant feeling towards AI." Also Read: Govt extends AI Impact Summit by a day amid record turnout, event to go on till Feb 21 The former UK prime minister said bridging this divide would require more than technological progress alone and called for deliberate policy interventions to foster greater public trust. “I think closing that confidence gap is as much a policy task as it is a technical one,” he added. ‘India a country with huge digital ambitions and capacity’ Sunak described India as “a country with huge digital ambitions and capacity’ and underlined the extraordinary scale of recent AI investments. “This year, the large AI companies are going to spend 20 times more on developing this technology than the US did for the Manhattan Project,” he said. Sunak’s observations came in a fireside chat with Meta’s Alexandr Wang on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit 2026. Also Read: PM Modi hold talks with Google CEO Sundar Pichai at India AI Impact Summit; discuss AI innovation and talent development The summit has brought together government policymakers, industry AI experts, academicians, technology innovators, and civil society representatives from across the world to advance global discussions on artificial intelligence. It aims to reflect on the transformative potential of AI, aligning with India’s national vision of ‘Sarvajana hitaye, sarvajana sukhaye’ (welfare for all, happiness for all) and the global principle of AI for Humanity. Also Read: ECI announces Rajya Sabha polls for 37 seats across 10 states on March 16 ‘There are more consumer AI startups in India than in US’ Meta’s Chief AI Officer Wang also hailed India’s rising stature in the AI ecosystem and said, “I was at a dinner with a number of Indian founders and venture capitalists last night, and the statistic was that there are more consumer AI startups in India than in the United States.” Guided by the three foundational Sutras—People, Planet, and Progress—the India AI Impact Summit 2026 promotes human-centric AI that safeguards rights and ensures equitable benefits across societies, environmentally sustainable advancement of AI, and inclusive economic and technological progress.

Former UK PM Rishi Sunak described India as a country with huge digital ambitions and capacity and said this year, the large AI companies are going to spend 20 times more on developing this technology than the US did for the Manhattan Project.

Former UK PM Rishi Sunak hails India’s ‘enormous optimism, trust for AI,’ unlike scepticism in West

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India has officially entered the global artificial intelligence race by hosting the AI Impact Summit 2026, the first time this prestigious international gathering is being held in a developing country.
The summit brings together global tech leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss the future of responsible, inclusive, and resilient AI. Big tech companies are betting on India’s AI potential, marking a significant step for the nation in technology leadership and innovation.

AI Impact Summit: India Enters Global AI Race, Hosts AI Impact Summit

Day 2 of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 witnessed high-level ministerial launches, key bilateral meetings, and intense global discussions on responsible artificial intelligence frameworks. With participation from over 100 nations, the summit is emerging as a major platform shaping the future of global AI governance and cooperation.

A major focus on the second day was healthcare innovation, with new AI-powered digital health data platforms unveiled to strengthen diagnostics, patient care, and public health systems. Policymakers, tech leaders, and global delegates deliberated on ethical AI, cross-border data governance, and regulatory guardrails to ensure safe and inclusive AI deployment. 

AI Impact Summit 2026: 100+ Nations In Talks On Responsible AI Rules

India has kicked off the 5-day India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together leaders from 20 nations for the first-ever Global South AI summit. Key attendees include Emmanuel Macron, Lula, and Pedro Sánchez, highlighting growing international cooperation on artificial intelligence governance and innovation.


AI Impact Summit 2026: Leaders From 20 Nations To Attend Summit in India

As the AI Impact Summit 2026 kicks off at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, top industrialists highlighted that artificial intelligence will not take over jobs, but rather significantly enhance productivity. They also urged young professionals to adapt to AI tools or risk being left behind. Tech leaders also predicted an exponential growth in the sector over the next three years, with AI models improving at an unprecedented pace.Speaking at the “Democratizing AI Resources for Economic Growth and Social Good” session, Microsoft India and South Asia President Puneet Chandok said that rapid advancements in the industry in recent months show how quickly the technology is developing.“The models you have seen today, it’s incredible and we are growing on. With AI, we have potentially the ability to grow and move on, and now the world is changing and ready to adopt it,” he said.“The next generation of AI businesses will be built on AI, not just clouds,” he added. “AI - it will not kill jobs, but will unbundle jobs. AI will end the charade. You and I have to bundle ourselves. If you are not learning AI today, you are not learning anything.”Highlighting India’s position in the global AI ecosystem, Chandok said, “What’s happening in India is quite interesting. Here, real talent is coming up, policies are coming up. 59% businesses in India use AI agents. We have a huge pool of talent.”Meanwhile, Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani said that deploying AI can improve efficiency and serve previously unviable market segments, rather than replace human workers.“You can sit in office and you can make phone calls now the bottom 5100 clients who really don't pay that much. It doesn’t make financial sense to have a person person holding them and calling on them, it doesn’t make financial sense for a person who and for India, so we put a chatbot, a voice bot automatically calls, you can’t make out it’s not a human being, that’s how it’s advanced, right, and suddenly we are calling them up. Now what is happening here is stuff that is not getting done, we have served an underserved segment, underserved market by using AI,” Bikhchandani said, speaking at the “Future of Employability and AI” session.“Thus nobody is thrown out of a company because of AI, I don’t want that happening going forward, but right now it’s being used to increase productivity, it is being used to do stuff better, it is being used to do stuff better,” he added.

At AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, industry leaders said AI won’t replace jobs but boost productivity, urging youth to upskill as India sees rapid AI growth and wider business adoption.

As the AI Impact Summit 2026 kicks off at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, top industrialists highlighted that artificial intelligence will not take over jobs, but rather significantly enhance productivity. They also urged young professionals to adapt to AI tools or risk being left behind. Tech leaders also predicted an exponential growth in the sector over the next three years, with AI models improving at an unprecedented pace. Speaking at the “Democratizing AI Resources for Economic Growth and Social Good” session, Microsoft India and South Asia President Puneet Chandok said that rapid advancements in the industry in recent months show how quickly the technology is developing. “The models you have seen today, it’s incredible and we are growing on. With AI, we have potentially the ability to grow and move on, and now the world is changing and ready to adopt it,” he said. “The next generation of AI businesses will be built on AI, not just clouds,” he added. “AI - it will not kill jobs, but will unbundle jobs. AI will end the charade. You and I have to bundle ourselves. If you are not learning AI today, you are not learning anything.” Highlighting India’s position in the global AI ecosystem, Chandok said, “What’s happening in India is quite interesting. Here, real talent is coming up, policies are coming up. 59% businesses in India use AI agents. We have a huge pool of talent.” Meanwhile, Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani said that deploying AI can improve efficiency and serve previously unviable market segments, rather than replace human workers. “You can sit in office and you can make phone calls now the bottom 5100 clients who really don't pay that much. It doesn’t make financial sense to have a person person holding them and calling on them, it doesn’t make financial sense for a person who and for India, so we put a chatbot, a voice bot automatically calls, you can’t make out it’s not a human being, that’s how it’s advanced, right, and suddenly we are calling them up. Now what is happening here is stuff that is not getting done, we have served an underserved segment, underserved market by using AI,” Bikhchandani said, speaking at the “Future of Employability and AI” session. “Thus nobody is thrown out of a company because of AI, I don’t want that happening going forward, but right now it’s being used to increase productivity, it is being used to do stuff better, it is being used to do stuff better,” he added.

At AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, industry leaders said AI won’t replace jobs but boost productivity, urging youth to upskill as India sees rapid AI growth and wider business adoption.

‘AI will not kill jobs’: Industrialists predict exponential growth in next 3 years at AI Impact Summit 2026

India is ready to host the AI Impact Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (Feb 16) welcomed all world leaders, industry experts and other dignitaries who have arrived to participate in the event. It is the first international AI summit hosted in the Global South, showcasing New Delhi's ambition: to shape an AI future that is inclusive, responsible, and impactful.&nbsp;In an 'X' post, the Prime Minister explained the theme of the summit "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya", meaning welfare for all, happiness for all, reflecting India's shared commitment to harnessing Artificial Intelligence for human-centric progress. Meanwhile, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport issued passenger for traffic congestion. &nbsp;"Bringing the world together to discuss AI! Starting today, India hosts the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. I warmly welcome world leaders, captains of industry, innovators, policymakers, researchers and tech enthusiasts from across the world for this Summit. The theme of the Summit is Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya or welfare for all, happiness for all, reflecting our shared commitment to harnessing Artificial Intelligence for human-centric progress," PM Modi wrote on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Bringing the world together to discuss AI! Starting today, India hosts the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. I warmly welcome world leaders, captains of industry, innovators, policymakers, researchers and tech enthusiasts from across the world for this Summit. The…&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/2023238502302015808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ai-is-building-itself-ceo-s-chilling-much-bigger-than-covid-warning-goes-viral-1770884068900">AI is building itself? CEO’s chilling ‘much bigger than COVID’ warning goes viral</a> The Prime Minister stressed that AI in the present time is transforming several sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture, governance and enterprise. He also highlighted that the AI Impact Summit will enrich global discourse on diverse aspects of AI, including innovation, collaboration, responsible use, and more. "AI today is transforming several sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, governance and enterprise. The AI Impact Summit will enrich global discourse on diverse aspects of AI, such as innovation, collaboration, responsible use and more. I am confident that the outcomes of the Summit will help shape a future that is progressive, innovative and opportunity-driven," the Prime Minister wrote on X. Thanking the 1.4 billion people of the country, PM Modi asserted that India stands at the forefront of AI and its strides reflect both ambition and responsibility.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-ai-will-replace-most-white-collar-jobs-soon-says-microsoft-ai-head-mustafa-suleyman-1770916772093">‘AI will replace most white-collar jobs soon,’ says Microsoft AI head Mustafa Suleyman</a><h2>Delhi Airport advisory</h2>Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport &nbsp;issued a passenger advisory, warning travellers of possible traffic congestion and delays to and from the airport, and advised using the metro for convenient access. In a post on X, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) advised passengers to plan their journeys in advance due to major events in the national capital that could disrupt road traffic. Passengers were advised to use the Delhi Metro to avoid inconvenience. The airport operator recommended the Magenta Line for access to Terminal 1 and the Airport Express Line for Terminals 2 and 3 or other available services to avoid inconvenience. "In view of major events in Delhi that may impact travel to and from the airport, travelers are advised to plan their journey accordingly and consider alternative public transport options," the advisory read.<h2>Who all are attending the summit?</h2>The full list of heads of state and government attending the summit are: UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Slovakia's President Peter Pellegrini, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, French President Emmanuel Macron, Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Bolivia's Vice President Edmand Lara Montano, Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Estonia's President Alar Karis, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Guyana's Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Liechtenstein's Hereditary Prince Alois, Mauritius's Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, Spain's President Pedro Sanchez, Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Seychelles' Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Switzerland's President Guy Parmelin, and the Netherlands' Prime Minister Dick Schoof.&nbsp;&nbsp;Leading the charge from the United States is a powerhouse delegation organised by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and the US-India Business Council (USIBC)--the largest American industry presence at such an event to date. The delegation from the USISPF will be co-led by Adobe Chairman and CEO Shantanu Narayen and FedEx President and CEO Raj Subramaniam, and will include more than 120 senior executives from more than 100 companies, including luminaries such as Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith. White House adviser Michael Kratsios, Assistant to US President Donald Trump and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, will lead the official US government delegation, joined by senior officials from the US Department of State, Commerce, and other agencies.

PM Modi welcomed global leaders to the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, highlighting AI’s role in driving inclusive growth across sectors. With a focus on responsible innovation, the event positions India as a key player, while Delhi issued travel advisories amid expected congestion.

India is ready to host the AI Impact Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (Feb 16) welcomed all world leaders, industry experts and other dignitaries who have arrived to participate in the event. It is the first international AI summit hosted in the Global South, showcasing New Delhi's ambition: to shape an AI future that is inclusive, responsible, and impactful. In an 'X' post, the Prime Minister explained the theme of the summit "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya", meaning welfare for all, happiness for all, reflecting India's shared commitment to harnessing Artificial Intelligence for human-centric progress. Meanwhile, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport issued passenger for traffic congestion. "Bringing the world together to discuss AI! Starting today, India hosts the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. I warmly welcome world leaders, captains of industry, innovators, policymakers, researchers and tech enthusiasts from across the world for this Summit. The theme of the Summit is Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya or welfare for all, happiness for all, reflecting our shared commitment to harnessing Artificial Intelligence for human-centric progress," PM Modi wrote on X.

PM Modi welcomed global leaders to the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, highlighting AI’s role in driving inclusive growth across sectors. With a focus on responsible innovation, the event positions India as a key player, while Delhi issued travel advisories amid expected congestion.

India hosts AI Impact Summit 2026, PM Modi bats for 'progressive future': Who all are attending? What's lined up?

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AI Impact Summit 2026: Robots Take Centre Stage

AI Impact Summit 2026: Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu To Sign 7 MoUs At The Summit

Big Tech Turns Its Focus To India; Cloud Giants Expand India Data Centers

AI Impact Summit 2026: What Are Experts Saying at India's AI Summit?

Sunak hails India’s ‘enormous optimism, trust for AI,’ unlike scepticism in West

What are the ‘HAMMER’ smart missiles that India could soon manufacture locally?

AI Impact Summit: India Enters Global AI Race, Hosts AI Impact Summit

AI Impact Summit 2026: 100+ Nations In Talks On Responsible AI Rules

AI Impact Summit 2026: Leaders From 20 Nations To Attend Summit in India

‘AI will not kill jobs’: Industrialists predict growth at AI Impact Summit 2026

India hosts AI Impact Summit 2026, PM Modi bats for 'progressive future'