The India AI Impact Summit 2026 commenced in New Delhi, drawing key stakeholders and sparking enthusiasm locally and internationally. Former Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati expressed pride in India’s progress, citing the presence of global leaders, industry figures, startups, innovators, and researchers as evidence of India’s expanding influence in AI. Vempati highlighted India’s evolution under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, positioning the nation as a prominent voice in the Global South.
The summit’s outcomes are closely monitored globally, with Vempati likening India’s AI trajectory to its prior internet services success. He emphasized India’s transition into a global AI provider, viewing AI as an opportunity rather than a threat, akin to the swift vaccine adoption during the pandemic. India’s strengths, such as being the world’s largest democracy, English-speaking populace, extensive mobile and internet reach, and robust digital services sector, were underscored by Vempati.
Vempati stressed the need for India to develop its AI models and applications, shifting from a consumer to a creator of AI technologies. The summit is positioned as a pivotal platform for Indian startups, talent, and investors, propelling India towards a leading role in the global AI landscape. Takumi Miyakawa, Deputy Director at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), highlighted Japan’s serious approach to AI under the new government, with plans to support domestic AI development. Miyakawa expressed optimism for enhanced India-Japan collaboration in AI, with discussions underway to bolster bilateral ties.
