The day one of India AI Impact Summit 2026 began with strong political and industry presence at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on February 16. After the inauguration of the India AI Impact Expo 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent time interacting with innovators and startup founders showcasing AI tools across healthcare, agriculture, education and governance.
The atmosphere inside the expo halls felt busy and slightly chaotic, in a good way. Founders stood next to demo screens, researchers explained models in simple slides, and global delegates moved between booths. According to official details, the Prime Minister welcomed over 100 government representatives, including more than 20 heads of state and government and 60 ministers and vice ministers, along with more than 500 global AI leaders comprising CEOs, founders, academicians, researchers, CTOs, and representatives of philanthropic organisations.
India AI Impact Expo 2026 was a powerful convergence of ideas, innovation and intent.
It showcased the extraordinary potential of Indian talent in shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence for global good.
Above all, it reaffirmed our commitment to harnessing AI… pic.twitter.com/jfVWCP4BHh
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 17, 2026
PM Modi interacts with startups and global AI leaders
During his visit, the Prime Minister observed AI solutions developed by Indian startups and research teams. The expo focused on practical use cases. From AI models built for Indian languages to tools aimed at farm productivity and public health systems, the display aimed to show scale and inclusion.
Officials said the Prime Minister encouraged innovators to build scalable and inclusive AI solutions. Many young founders appeared visibly excited. One startup founder told reporters off camera that even a brief interaction felt encouraging. It is rare to see that level of access at such large global events.
In a post shared on X, PM Modi wrote:
“India AI Impact Expo 2026 was a powerful convergence of ideas, innovation and intent.
It showcased the extraordinary potential of Indian talent in shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence for global good.
Above all, it reaffirmed our commitment to harnessing AI responsibly, inclusively and at scale for human progress. Here are the highlights…”
Focus on responsible and inclusive AI
The messaging around the summit this year clearly centres on responsible AI deployment. Policy makers, telecom leaders and technology executives are discussing governance frameworks, infrastructure readiness and public sector use cases.
India’s growing AI ecosystem was visible on the floor. Early stage startups stood next to established technology firms. Academicians presented research posters. Government delegations from multiple countries attended sessions across the day.
As Day 2 starts, conversations are moving beyond hype. The focus remains on scale, infrastructure and global collaboration.