Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo 2026 on February 16, 2026, at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking the official start of a major global event focused on artificial intelligence (AI). The five-day exhibition—running until February 20—is part of the broader India AI Impact Summit 2026, a first-of-its-kind international AI gathering being hosted in the Global South.
Set against the backdrop of rising interest and investment in AI innovation worldwide, the Expo is designed as a comprehensive showcase where policy meets practice, innovation meets impact, and new partnerships are forged. It brings together governments, tech firms, research institutions, entrepreneurs, and AI enthusiasts from across the globe.
Spread across a sprawling 70,000-square-metre venue, the Expo features around 300 curated exhibition pavilions and over 600 high-potential startup showcases from India and abroad. These exhibits are structured around three thematic pillars—People, Planet, and Progress—highlighting how AI can improve lives, protect the environment, and drive sustainable development.
Global Participation and Cross-Border Collaboration
One of the most striking aspects of the event is its international participation. Exhibits include pavilions from 13 countries such as Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan, Russia and representatives from Africa, underscoring AI’s global relevance and collaborative potential.
The Expo is expected to draw more than 250,000 visitors, including delegates from various nations, students, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and AI practitioners—all eager to witness cutting-edge innovations and network with industry leaders.
Beyond the Expo: The India AI Impact Summit
Alongside the Expo, the India AI Impact Summit serves as a larger forum for discussions on AI’s future, exploring topics ranging from ethical use and governance to inclusive economic growth and real-world applications. This summit has attracted top leaders and thinkers from around the world, including heads of state, ministers, and key executives from major technology companies.
In New Delhi, the summit’s agenda emphasizes harnessing AI for global welfare and cooperation. Leaders and experts are debating how AI can be responsibly integrated into public services, governance, health, education and environmental sustainability. Prime Minister Modi has consistently highlighted that India seeks to use AI not just for commercial gains but for broad societal benefits, aiming to bring nations together in solving shared challenges.
What’s On Display and Key Discussions
The event’s vast lineup of sessions—amounting to more than 500 talks and panels featuring over 3,250 speakers—delves into practical applications of AI in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, urban planning and public services. Indian startups and tech innovators are presenting solutions that are already being deployed in real settings, giving visitors a glimpse of the transformative power of AI.
The Expo also opens pathways for new business ventures, research collaborations, and startup funding opportunities. By showcasing India’s domestic capabilities alongside global innovation, the event highlights how emerging economies can contribute meaningfully to the evolving AI landscape.
Public Access and Highlights
While the Expo’s first day (Feb 16) was reserved for official inauguration and limited access, it opens to the general public from February 17 onwards with free registration, enabling wider participation from students, tech professionals and citizens interested in AI.
The India AI Impact Expo 2026 and its companion summit mark a pivotal moment for India—not just as a host nation, but as an influential voice shaping how AI can be developed and deployed responsibly at scale. Its blend of global partnership, technological showcase, and thoughtful discourse positions India at the heart of international conversations on the future of artificial intelligence.
