India to host 2026 AI Summit, boosting global dialogue on safe, inclusive tech, while Gujarat launches state-wide AI plan for governance, growth, and public welfare.
India is set to host the AI Impact Summit 2026 in February next year, positioning itself as a global thought leader in advancing the responsible, inclusive, and people-centric development of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The announcement, made in Parliament by Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, underlines India’s growing ambitions in shaping the global AI narrative around accessibility, accountability, and innovation.
The summit is expected to bring together global policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and civil society to deliberate on the ethical deployment of AI technologies, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of democratising technology for the public good.
Vaishnaw told the Lok Sabha that the summit is a key milestone in the broader IndiaAI Mission, which focuses on using AI to solve challenges across healthcare, education, agriculture, climate change, and public governance, while ensuring respect for privacy, equity, and human rights.
Local languages, global vision
At the heart of India’s AI approach is the development of native Large and Small Language Models using Indian datasets to reflect the country’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity. Several Indian startups including Sarvam AI, Soket AI, Gnani AI, and Gan AI are actively building foundational models to serve this purpose.
“These models will be open-source and made accessible to other startups, enabling the creation of locally relevant, affordable, and inclusive AI applications,” the minister said. By doing so, India aims to eliminate the linguistic bias embedded in many global AI systems, while empowering developers to create tools for diverse users across the country.
To support these efforts, the government is ramping up AI compute capacity, expanding access to GPU infrastructure, and strengthening the AIKosh Datasets Platform, which currently hosts over 1,000 datasets and 208 AI models, including Text-to-Speech systems in Indian languages.
Real-world impact
As part of its ongoing commitment to public interest, the IndiaAI Mission is currently funding 30 AI-based applications targeting key areas such as healthcare delivery, climate resilience, disaster response, and transparent governance. Through these solutions, the government hopes to create scalable impact for marginalised communities, farmers, students, and frontline health workers.
Complementing domestic efforts, the IndiaAI Startups Global Programme is mentoring ten Indian startups at Station F and HEC Paris, two of Europe’s leading innovation hubs. Among the featured ventures are PrivaSapien Technologies, which builds privacy-enhancing AI, and Secure Blink, a firm specialising in AI-driven cybersecurity.
To ensure that AI is safe, reliable, and accountable, India has established the IndiaAI Safety Institute, which is tasked with coordinating research and standards on responsible AI deployment. Key areas of research include bias mitigation, watermarking for content authenticity, and machine unlearning—a cutting-edge approach to erasing sensitive data from AI models when required.
India’s AI ecosystem is also supported by a robust techno-legal regulatory framework. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023), IT Act (2000), and IT Rules (2021) collectively address the risks associated with AI systems, such as deepfakes, disinformation, and data misuse. The government is also funding R&D in deepfake detection, cybersecurity tools, and privacy technologies, reinforcing a unique governance model that integrates both legal safeguards and technological defences.
The 2026 summit is expected to amplify these efforts by showcasing India’s innovation and setting global benchmarks for AI built on trust, safety, and social good.
Gujarat approves AI Action Plan
In a parallel development, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved a comprehensive AI Implementation Action Plan (2025–2030), aimed at transforming the state into a hub for AI-driven governance and socio-economic growth.
Speaking at the Chintan Shibir in Somnath, Patel said the initiative was aligned with the Centre’s digital transformation goals under Viksit Bharat @2047 and would support Viksit Gujarat @2047.
The plan envisions the integration of AI across departments such as education, healthcare, agriculture, fintech, and administration. A 10-member AI Taskforce Committee has been formed to guide the implementation of this strategy. The government will also launch a dedicated AI and Deep Tech Mission, which will serve as the core institution to lead design, deployment, and innovation within the state.
Key early-stage initiatives include the creation of a state-level AI data repository, setting up AI factories, and launching department-specific pilot projects. The government is also placing strong emphasis on skilling, reskilling, and upskilling the workforce in AI and emerging technologies.
Over five years, Gujarat aims to build a dynamic and inclusive AI ecosystem by collaborating with startups, academic institutions, and industries. The state hopes this action plan will ensure better service delivery, improved welfare, and widespread technological empowerment for its citizens.
