India AI Impact Summit 2026: First Global AI Summit in Global South

India AI Impact Summit 2026 is a global event on AI organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) from 19 to 20 February 2026 in New Delhi under the AI mission at the global level. It will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South, focusing on inclusive growth and featuring regional conferences and including YUAI to encourage youth participation and AI innovation, and it will bring together experts, leaders, world organisations, students and innovators from all over the world to discuss how the transformative power of AI serves humanity, drives inclusive growth, fosters social development and promotes people-centric innovation to protect our planet.

Key Highlight of the Global AI Event

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India’s AI Impact Summit 2026 Summit Framework: The Three Sutras & Seven Chakras

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) has designed the framework of the Global AI event in the Three Sutras and Seven Chakras to ensure AI serves as a tool for universal good. 

The Three Sutras (Guiding Principles for a Sustainable AI Future): 

1. People: AI must serve humanity in all its diversity, preserving dignity and ensuring inclusivity.

2. Planet: AI innovation must align with environmental stewardship and sustainability.

3. Progress: AI's benefits must be equitably shared, advancing global development and prosperity.

The Seven Chakras (themes for global cooperation): 

1. Human Capital Working Group: Advancing equitable skilling and inclusive workforce transitions for an AI-enabled future of work.

2. Inclusion for Social Empowerment Working Group: Advancing AI systems that are inclusive by design, empowering diverse communities and ensuring equitable representation.

3. Safe and Trusted AI: Building globally trusted AI systems anchored in transparency, accountability, and shared safeguards for innovation

4. Science: Harnessing AI to accelerate frontier science, foster scientific collaboration, and translate breakthroughs into shared global progress.

5. Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency: Driving sustainable, resource-efficient AI systems that strengthen climate resilience and sustainability.

6. Democratising AI Resources: Promoting equitable access to foundational AI resources for inclusive innovation and sustainable development worldwide

7. AI for Economic Development & Social Good: Leveraging AI to enhance productivity, innovation, and inclusive development across economies and societies.

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What is YUVAi (Youth for Unwavering AI)?

The YUYAi  is a flagship programme of Meity, implemented in partnership with MyBharat and NIELIT YUVAi is empowering the next generation of innovators. YUVAi stands for Youth for Unwavering AI. This innovation programme invites young innovators in the age group 13-21 to bring their most innovative AI solutions to solve real-world problems. It is one of the most significant pillars of the Global AI Summit 2026. 

Key Features of YUVAi:

• Provide opportunities for youth: engage with global AI experts through workshops and mentorships.

• Platform for young innovators: Showcase their work to a global audience, exchange ideas with peers worldwide, and gain invaluable exposure.

• Global Youth Challenge: A competition inviting youth to build AI-powered solutions for real-world social issues like elderly care, mental well-being, and sustainable agriculture.

• Comprehensive Training: Selected participants undergo a 10-day virtual bootcamp. Equip shortlisted applicants with skills, tools, and knowledge to strengthen their AI solutions. featuring hands-on training in Python, AI modelling, and design thinking.

• International Demo Day: The top 20 finalists get a global stage at Bharat Mandapam to present their innovations to world leaders and investors.

Note:  The application window for YUVAi has been closed now; shortlisted candidates will be reached out to at their registered email address. 

Awards & Recognition: Prizes worth Rs. 85 Lakhs

• First Prize: ₹15 Lakhs Each (Top 3 solutions)

• Second prize: ₹10 Lacs each (Next 3 solutions)

• Special Recognition Awards: 2 awards of ₹5 lakhs each

• Certificates for all participants, and exclusive credits/giveaways for winners

Summit Showcase:

• The top 20 shortlisted applicants get to present their innovation at the AI Impact Summit 2026 during the International Demo Day

• Top solutions with highest deployment potential get to present their solutions at Impact Summit investor showcase

Post-Summit Opportunities:

• Permanent showcase: Top 20 solutions featured on the Summit website

• AI Innovation Compendium: Winning solutions published in a global report

• Scaling with impact: Selected winners may receive mentorship from premier Indian institutions for real-world deployment

(Source: https://impact.indiaai.gov.in/home/main-summit-events)

India AI Impact Summit 2026 is a global event on artificial intelligence.By hosting this event, India is giving a voice to the Global South in the global AI discourse. The summit will bring together world leaders, tech giants, researchers, and startups to ensure that AI development is not restricted to a few nations but is democratised for the benefit of developing economies.

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