India AI Impact Summit: From Sundar Pichai to Sam Altman, top tech leaders to attend the event in New Delhi

On February 16, New Delhi will host one of the most significant technology events ever held in the Global South—the India AI Impact Summit 2026. This landmark summit is poised to attract leading figures in artificial intelligence, including Sundar Pichai from Google and Sam Altman of OpenAI, effectively placing India at the forefront of global AI discussions. Taking place at Bharat Mandapam and various venues throughout the city, the five-day summit will feature over 40 CEOs and 20 heads of state, engaging in dialogues tied to nearly $100 billion in potential investments. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to engage in one-on-one discussions with 35 to 40 corporate leaders and will deliver the keynote address on February 19. The summit revolves around three core themes: People, Planet, and Progress. It will encompass policy sessions, industry meetings, and public engagement, with activities spread across multiple locations, including Sushma Swaraj Bhawan. The impressive roster of attendees underscores the event's magnitude, with notable figures like Dario Amodei, Demis Hassabis, Bill Gates, Yann LeCun, and Yoshua Bengio expected to participate. Key industry leaders such as Mukesh D Ambani, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Salil Parekh, Nikesh Arora, and Shantanu Narayen will also be present, alongside political figures like Emmanuel Macron and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, along with various ministers and the UN Secretary-General. India's role in AI strategy is becoming increasingly pivotal, as the country generates nearly 20% of global data, boasts the second-largest AI workforce, and has over 700 million internet users. This unique combination positions India as both a development hub and a significant market for AI technologies. Tech giants are already making substantial investments; for instance, Microsoft has pledged $17.5 billion over four years to enhance AI infrastructure. Additionally, Anthropic has appointed former Microsoft India MD Irina Ghose to head its local operations, while OpenAI has established a dedicated sales team in India, and Google is collaborating with the government and the education platform Physics Wallah to promote AI education. The summit will also feature a massive expo covering 70,000 square meters, showcasing more than 300 exhibitors from 30 countries. With over 200,000 participants registered, including farmers and grassroots workers, the event aims to link AI adoption with everyday economic activities. The summit will conclude on February 20 with the GPAI Council meeting, marking a week that solidifies India’s position not just as a key player in AI utilization but also as a crucial venue for shaping global AI policies and investment strategies.