Google CEO Pichai Highlights India’s AI Potential at India AI Impact Summit 2026
New Delhi – Google CEO Sundar Pichai underscored India’s rapid emergence as a global hub for artificial intelligence during his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Speaking before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a diverse international audience, Pichai reflected on India’s technological evolution and Google’s growing investment in the country.
From Coastal City to AI Hub: The Vizag Story
Pichai recounted his personal experiences traveling through Visakhapatnam (Vizag) during his college days, describing it as a “quiet and modest coastal city brimming with potential.” He contrasted this memory with the present, noting Google’s establishment of a full-stack AI hub in Vizag as part of the company’s $15 billion infrastructure investment in India. “Sitting on the train, I never imagined Vizag becoming a global AI hub,” Pichai stated. CNBCTV18
Personal Reflections on Technological Progress
Pichai shared a personal anecdote about his parents experiencing a fully autonomous ride in a Waymo vehicle in San Francisco. He described witnessing his 83-year-old father’s reaction to the technology, noting, “Seeing Waymo right through my 83-year-old dad’s eyes, I saw the progress in a whole new light.” He added that his father, characteristically, believed the technology would require to perform reliably on India’s busy roads before fully impressing him. News18
What is Waymo?
Waymo is a self-driving technology company and a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google’s parent company. It develops autonomous vehicles – cars and trucks – that utilize sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to navigate and operate safely without human intervention. Originally launched as Google’s self-driving car project in 2009, Waymo became an independent company in 2016. Currently, Waymo operates Waymo One, a commercial autonomous ride-hailing service in select US cities, and is actively testing autonomous trucking and delivery vehicles.
India AI Impact Summit 2026
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, held from February 16 to 20, brought together participants from over 110 countries and approximately 30 international organizations, including heads of state, ministers, policymakers, technology leaders, startups, researchers, and civil society representatives. The summit focused on strengthening global cooperation on AI governance, safety, and societal impact, guided by the theme “People, Planet, Progress.” CNBCTV18 The summit reflects the vision of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” (welfare for all, happiness for all) and the broader principle of AI for humanity.
PM Modi and Pichai Discuss AI Innovation and Talent Development
Prime Minister Modi and Sundar Pichai held discussions on AI innovation and talent development in India. PM Modi stated on X (formerly Twitter), “It was a delight to meet Mr. Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. Talked about the work India is doing in AI and how Google can work with our talented students and professionals in this field.” Firstpost WION