India AI Impact Summit 2026: Modi Addresses Global Leaders, Expo Extended
New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the India AI Impact Summit on Thursday, February 19, 2026, alongside a gathering of world leaders and technology executives. The summit, hosted at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, is India’s flagship AI event and follows similar multilateral forums held in the U.K., France, and South Korea India AI Impact Summit.
Keynote Speakers and Global Participation
Prime Minister Modi’s address was followed by keynote presentations from prominent figures in the AI field, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO Dennis Hassabis, and Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited. Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation, and Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, also delivered keynote speeches.
The summit has drawn significant international participation, with the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish President Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Expo Extension to Accommodate Demand
Due to strong attendance and previous access limitations, the summit’s expo has been extended by one day, to Saturday, February 21, 2026. IT Secretary S. Krishnan announced the extension, stating it would allow students and professionals easier access with more flexible security arrangements after the multilateral events conclude Economic Times.
The expo features over 400 exhibitors, including startups, large corporations, government entities, and researchers.
Initial Crowds and Security Adjustments
The summit experienced large crowds on Monday, February 16, 2026, leading to temporary closures of parts of the venue. The extension of the expo aims to alleviate congestion and provide broader access to the event. The expo will be closed on Thursday, February 19, 2026, for the plenary session with Prime Minister Modi and other world leaders, and will reopen on Friday, February 20, 2026 Hindustan Times.
India’s AI Investment Momentum
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw projected massive investment momentum in India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, anticipating over $200 billion in investment into the sector over the next two years Economic Times.