India and France are set to host the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, emphasizing inclusion, development, and real-world outcomes. The summit, to be held in February 2026, is considered a significant moment in global artificial intelligence governance. Indian Ambassador Vinay M Kwatra and French Ambassador Laurent Bili highlighted the summit’s focus on reflecting Global South priorities.
The upcoming summit aims to democratize AI access and showcase how AI can benefit societies beyond advanced economies. It will revolve around three core themes: people, planet, and progress. The event is structured to ensure that AI is available, accessible, and scalable for a broader population.
Building on their cooperation initiated at the Paris AI Action Summit in 2025, France and India are keen on advancing practical applications and investments in AI. The summit will shift the conversation from abstract regulation to deployment and outcomes, emphasizing the importance of implementation in society. It will feature various activities, including an AI expo, research symposiums, CEO roundtables, and a leaders’ declaration.
The summit will also focus on avoiding fragmented global AI rules while respecting national approaches. Both ambassadors highlighted the significant AI investments in France and India, with a focus on computing infrastructure, research, and energy. India’s large population and rapid digital platform adoption position it as a crucial testing ground for AI deployment at scale.
