Policymakers Emphasize Immediate Action on Artificial Intelligence
Mumbai, February 16: The India AI Impact Summit 2026 commenced in New Delhi on Monday, drawing senior policymakers and global leaders who called for urgent and coordinated action to harness artificial intelligence for inclusive economic growth.The summit opened with a strong focus on ensuring that AI development delivers broad-based societal and economic benefits.
CEA V. Anantha Nageswaran Advocates “Team India” Strategy
Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran cautioned that delaying AI advancement each year narrows India’s economic and technological options.He said India must act decisively to leverage AI for inclusive growth, adding that the country has the potential to become the first large society where human abundance and machine intelligence reinforce each other.
Nageswaran stressed that AI progress will not occur by chance and requires urgency, political will, and strong state capacity. He called for a “Team India” approach that brings together the government, private sector, academia, and policymakers to drive coordinated action.
Education and Skills at the Centre of AI-Led Prosperity
According to the Chief Economic Advisor, the foundation of AI-led prosperity must begin with reforms in education and the scaling up of high-quality skills. Strengthening foundational education systems is essential to prepare the workforce for technological transformation.He also highlighted the need to expand labor-intensive service sectors and remove regulatory bottlenecks to unlock growth opportunities. A lack of calibrated action, he cautioned, could lead to social and economic instability.
Government Push for Human-Centric and Democratic AI
S. Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, emphasized that AI development must remain human-centric and democratically accessible.He said the government’s key message is that AI should ensure democratic access to resources while keeping people at the centre of technological transformation. Artificial intelligence, he noted, has the potential to accelerate development not only in India but also across the Global South.
PM Narendra Modi Highlights Global Participation
Earlier in the day, Narendra Modi said it is a matter of great pride that people from across the world are coming to India for the summit.AI Expo to Run Alongside Summit
The AI Expo will be held from February 16 to 20 at the same venue in the national capital.Spanning 10 arenas and covering more than 70,000 square metres, the expo will bring together global technology firms, startups, academia and research institutions, Union Ministries, state governments, and international partners, reinforcing New Delhi’s position as a focal point for global AI dialogue.
Disclaimer: Due care and diligence have been taken in compiling and presenting news and market-related content. However, errors or omissions may arise despite such efforts.
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. Readers are advised to rely on their own assessment and judgment and consult appropriate financial advisers, if required, before taking any investment-related decisions.