From UPI of AI to $200 Billion Pledges: Inside India AI Impact Summit 2026

The India AI Impact Summit 2026, running February 16-20 in New Delhi, has redefined how the developing world engages with artificial intelligence.

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is a five-day global event hosted at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from February 16 to 20. It is the first major AI summit to be held in the Global South, signalling a shift in where AI governance conversations are being led.

Unlike previous summits focused primarily on safety, this edition is built around "demonstrable impact" for developing nations.

What is the summit's core philosophy?

The summit operates on what organisers call the Three Sutras - People, Planet, and Progress - and Seven Chakras including Human Capital, Inclusion, Trust, Resilience, Science, Resources, and Social Good. The framework is designed to bridge what officials describe as the "Global AI Divide" between developed and developing nations.

What is the "UPI of AI"?

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled India AI Mission 2.0 at the summit, describing it as a platform offering a "bouquet of trusted AI solutions" for MSMEs, healthcare, and education. The initiative draws a direct parallel to UPI - India's unified payments system - in its ambition for scale and accessibility.

What happened with India's GPU capacity?

India announced the addition of 20,000 GPUs to its existing computer infrastructure of 38,000, bringing the total to 58,000 GPUs. Access is reportedly priced at approximately ₹65 (around $0.78) per hour, with the aim of democratising high-end computing for startups, researchers, and institutions.

Did the summit break any records?

Yes. The summit set a Guinness World Record for the highest number of pledges for responsible AI use within 24 hours, with 250,946 students taking the oath in a single day.

How big were the investment commitments?

The summit secured commitments exceeding $200 billion in infrastructure investment and an additional $17 billion in venture capital for the Indian AI ecosystem, figures that have drawn significant international attention.

What is the AI Impact Expo?

The AI Impact Expo is a 70,000 sq. m. exhibition at the heart of the summit, featuring over 300 exhibitors from 30 countries. It showcases real-world applications including robotics and sovereign AI models, making it one of the largest AI-focused expos in the world.

What challenges were held at the summit?

Three flagship global challenges reached their grand finales: AI for ALL, focused on large-scale public interest solutions; AI by HER, promoting women-led AI innovation; and YUVAi, targeting young innovators between the ages of 13 and 21.

What was the "Robodog" controversy?

Galgotias University was asked to vacate its exhibition stall after a professor at the event falsely claimed that a commercially available Chinese Unitree Go2 robot was an in-house creation. The incident drew widespread attention online and raised questions around authenticity at innovation showcases.

Were there any logistical issues?

Despite its scale and success, the summit reportedly faced overcrowding and restricted access for some delegates on certain days. In response, Expo hours were extended to accommodate attendees who were unable to enter during peak periods.

What research activity took place?

Today, on February 18, a Research Symposium titled "From Algorithms to Outcomes" is being held in partnership with IIIT Hyderabad. The session brought together global experts and Nobel laureates to examine the real-world applications of AI research in public and social domains.

(With inputs from yMedia)