Op-ed: AI Impact Summit 2026 – India’s commitment to technology for equitable progress and ethical governance

India not only ranks among the largest technology exporters worldwide but is also recognised as a global technology leader and innovator in digital public infrastructure. Indian public and private IT companies continue to power global IT networks, with their software product revenue expected to reach US$100 billion in 2025. India’s digital public infrastructure—such as the Aadhaar biometric identity system, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and vast broadband networks—set the global standards for scale, accessibility, and inclusiveness, enabling millions to seamlessly access essential services online.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India initiative was launched in 2015 to build a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. It focuses on providing universal digital access to healthcare, education, governance, and financial inclusion, with a strong emphasis on bridging digital divides, especially for rural and marginalised communities. This program established a scalable and accessible digital infrastructure and enhanced digital literacy nationwide, empowering citizens to join the digital future. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) forms a key pillar of this vision, serving as a tool for inclusive development rather than just a commercial technology innovation. India’s National AI Strategy and IndiaAI Mission, backed by strong public investment, focus on applying AI to crucial sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, financial services, and climate resilience. The strategy stresses democratizing AI, providing open access to tools, supporting multiple Indian languages, and developing ethical AI governance based on transparency, privacy, and accountability.

India will host the India AI Impact Summit in February 2026, aimed at promoting participation of the Global South in the AI Summit. The summit marks a shift from abstract AI discussions toward real-world, measurable impacts. Guided by the three Sutras or principles of People, Planet, and Progress, the event revolves around seven thematic Chakras that include human capital development, AI resource democratisation, promoting safe AI, inclusivity, resilience, frontier science, and economic growth. The summit fosters global partnerships to bridge the worldwide AI divide. Flagship programs like the Global Impact Challenges will showcase AI tackling global needs—healthcare, education, agriculture, and innovation and start-up promotion, highlighting India’s focus on responsible, scalable innovation.

India distinguishes its AI strategy through its strong focus on social good and inclusive innovation. It champions open-source AI models and public platforms tailored to India’s multilingual, multicultural context, promoting wide participation and reducing unilateral control. The public sector leads AI deployment in sectors like health, agriculture, and education, ensuring broad societal benefits. Ethical AI development remains the focus, stressing fairness, privacy, transparency, and responsible practices, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which balance sustainable development with economic growth, environmental protection and social development.