India to Host World’s Biggest AI Summit in February 2026

India is preparing to host the AI Impact Summit, a major international event on artificial intelligence, on February 19–20, 2026. The summit is expected to become the second-largest global gathering of leaders in India after the G20 Summit, marking another milestone in the country’s growing leadership in digital technology and global cooperation.

Global Participation and Leadership Presence

Over 100 countries have been invited to participate in the AI Impact Summit, with representation from heads of government, ministers, and senior officials. Leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are among the expected attendees. India aims to host around 35 heads of state, with an estimated 20 confirming attendance. This scale reflects India’s ambition to become a central hub for global discussions on AI governance and innovation.

Venue and Organisational Details

The event will be held at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, which previously hosted the G20 Summit. The announcement was formally made by Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, who confirmed that the summit’s themes will align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of harnessing technology for inclusive growth. Preparations are already underway to ensure high-level participation and security arrangements for visiting dignitaries.

Global Context and Collaborative Agenda

The AI Impact Summit builds upon a series of major international gatherings such as the UK AI Safety Summit, the AI Seoul Summit, the France AI Action Summit, and the Global AI Summit on Africa. India’s event aims to move from political dialogue to actionable outcomes by creating cooperative frameworks that focus on ethical AI, safety standards, and the equitable distribution of technological benefits across societies.

Exam Oriented Facts

• The AI Impact Summit will be held on February 19–20, 2026, in New Delhi.
• It is expected to be India’s second-largest gathering of global leaders after the G20 Summit.
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the summit in Parliament in July 2025.
• Leaders from over 100 countries, including France and Canada, are likely to attend.

India’s Strategic Vision in AI Diplomacy

The summit reflects India’s strategic focus on positioning itself as a global centre for responsible AI development. By promoting collaboration between governments, industries, and research institutions, India seeks to shape a shared global framework that balances innovation with safety and inclusivity in the evolving AI ecosystem.