India is set to host the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 from 16–20 February at Bharat Mandapam, positioning itself as a key convenor of global discussions on responsible, inclusive and impact-driven artificial intelligence.
Conceived as a flagship initiative under India’s national AI framework, the summit will bring together political leaders, policymakers, technology experts, researchers and civil society actors from across the world. Notably, it will be the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South, reflecting India’s effort to broaden the geography of AI governance debates.
Anchored around the principles of People, Planet and Progress, the summit seeks to align technological advancement with ethical deployment, sustainability and social outcomes.
A Broad-Based Global Platform
Official information indicates participation from over 100 countries, including 15–20 Heads of Government, more than 50 ministers, and senior representatives from industry, academia and international organisations. The agenda spans AI’s role in governance, economic development, climate resilience, public services and ethical frameworks, signalling a strong emphasis on applied and outcome-oriented AI.
The summit is structured around seven thematic “Chakras”, covering human capital, social inclusion, safe and trusted AI, science, sustainability and efficiency, democratisation of AI resources, and AI for economic development and social good.
Germany’s Participation in a Development Context
Within this multilateral framework, Germany is among the international partners contributing to the summit’s discussions, particularly through a development cooperation lens.
According to official disclosures, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is participating in multiple summit sessions via its implementing agency, GIZ. These sessions focus on themes such as South-South cooperation in AI policymaking, responsible and open AI, and the application of AI to climate action and sustainable development.
Germany’s engagement aligns with the summit’s broader emphasis on equity, access and the societal dimensions of artificial intelligence.
Political Context: Chancellor Merz’s India Visit
Germany’s participation in the summit comes shortly after Friedrich Merz’s visit to India in January 2026, which marked 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India–Germany Strategic Partnership. The visit, accompanied by a high-level business delegation, underscored Berlin’s interest in strengthening cooperation with India across technology, innovation, trade and industrial policy.
While the visit focused on a broad strategic agenda, it provides relevant political context ahead of Germany’s engagement in multilateral platforms such as the India–AI Impact Summit.
Beyond a Conference
Aligned with the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 reflects India’s ambition to shape global AI conversations through a development-first and inclusive lens.
For India, the summit serves as a platform to bridge perspectives between advanced economies and the Global South. For international partners, including Germany, it offers an opportunity to engage with evolving approaches to responsible AI that place societal impact at the centre of technological progress.
