Global titans join India’s AI push

Mumbai: India will host the India AI Impact Summit from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam, bringing together governments, industry leaders, researchers, startups, students and citizens from across the world. Envisioned as a pivotal global platform, the Summit aims to shape a future-oriented agenda for inclusive, responsible and impactful AI, moving beyond high-level discussions to deliver tangible outcomes that support economic growth, social development and the sustainable use of artificial intelligence.

The Summit is structured around three core pillars—People, Planet and Progress—with discussions focusing on employment and skilling, sustainable and energy-efficient AI, and economic and social development. Seven thematic working groups, co-chaired by representatives from the Global North and Global South, will present concrete deliverables, including proposals for AI Commons, trusted AI tools, shared compute infrastructure and sector-specific compendiums of AI use cases.

Positioned as one of the most significant global AI events to date, the Summit marks the first major AI conclave hosted in the Global South. It seeks to shift the global conversation from AI safety alone to real-world impact, highlighting AI’s role in healthcare, agriculture, education, climate action, inclusive growth and ethical deployment—particularly for developing economies.

The event is drawing a high-profile lineup of global AI and technology leaders alongside India’s leading business figures.

Speaking to Bizz Buzz, Uday Kumar Verma, former Union MSME Secretary, said discussions are expected to revolve around manufacturing, healthcare, governance, defence and digital infrastructure. However, he noted that one of the most transformative frontiers of artificial intelligence lies in a sector often viewed primarily through the lens of glamour rather than strategy—entertainment.

Cinema, television, OTT platforms, gaming and immersive media together form a multi-trillion-dollar global industry that shapes culture as powerfully as it generates wealth. AI is rapidly redefining how stories are written, produced, distributed and monetised across this ecosystem. If India seeks leadership in the AI century, the entertainment sector must be deliberately included in the AI discourse—not as an afterthought, but as a strategic pillar, he added. Participants will gain insights into how AI is reshaping professions and industries, the new skills required in the evolving job market, opportunities for startups to engage with investors and partners, and the role of AI in supporting farmers, small businesses and service providers.

With over 700 sessions planned across five days, participants are encouraged to review the agenda in advance, shortlist sessions aligned with their interests and plan their schedules accordingly. Discussions will cover AI safety, governance, ethical use, data protection and India’s approach to sovereign AI, including the development of indigenous foundation models for strategic sectors.

“The Prime Minister has a clear mission to democratise technology so that intelligence powered by AI reaches every individual, every household and every enterprise, rather than remaining confined to a select few,” said Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Electronics and IT. In line with this vision, a programme has been launched to train one million young people in AI skills, preparing India’s youth for the emerging technological era. A key attraction of the Summit will be the AI Impact Expo, showcasing practical AI applications across healthcare, agriculture, education, climate action, energy efficiency and accessibility. These demonstrations aim to help citizens understand how AI can address real-world challenges and improve service delivery.