India’s big AI moment, PM to host global tech titans at mega summit today

India’s Big AI Moment: Prime Minister to Host Global Tech Leaders at Mega Summit Today

📅 February 16, 2026
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary, The Vagabond News

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India is positioning itself at the center of the global artificial intelligence conversation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts a high-profile technology summit in New Delhi today, bringing together global technology executives, policymakers and industry leaders.

The event, described by officials as a landmark gathering focused on artificial intelligence innovation, governance and economic growth, is expected to feature representatives from major multinational technology companies alongside Indian startups and research institutions.

Government sources confirmed that the summit will focus on AI infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, data governance and skill development, reflecting India’s ambition to become a global AI hub.

Strategic Push for AI Leadership

India’s AI push comes amid intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence development, particularly among the United States, China and the European Union. Indian officials have emphasized that the country’s large technology workforce, expanding digital infrastructure and growing startup ecosystem position it uniquely in the AI race.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has outlined initiatives aimed at building domestic AI computing capacity, promoting indigenous AI models and strengthening research partnerships between academia and industry.

In previous addresses, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has framed artificial intelligence as a transformative force capable of boosting economic productivity, healthcare access, agriculture optimization and digital public services.

Global Tech Participation

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Executives from leading global technology companies are expected to attend, though official participant lists have not been fully disclosed. Industry analysts say the presence of multinational firms underscores India’s growing importance as both a market and innovation partner.

India has become one of the largest consumers of digital services globally, and its digital public infrastructure — including Aadhaar identity systems and unified payment platforms — is often cited as a foundation for scalable AI deployment.

Officials have also indicated that discussions will include ethical AI frameworks and safeguards against misuse, reflecting growing international concern over data privacy, misinformation and job displacement.

Policy and Regulation Focus

Government representatives said the summit will address regulatory clarity, particularly around data localization, AI governance and cross-border collaboration. India has previously introduced data protection legislation aimed at strengthening privacy protections while enabling innovation.

Experts note that regulatory stability is seen as critical for attracting foreign investment in high-performance computing, semiconductor manufacturing and cloud infrastructure.

India has also launched public funding programs to support AI research, including initiatives targeting agriculture analytics, language processing for regional languages and healthcare diagnostics.

Talent and Workforce Development

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A major theme of the summit is expected to be workforce development. India graduates hundreds of thousands of engineers annually, and policymakers are emphasizing reskilling programs to prepare workers for AI-driven industries.

Educational institutions, including leading Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), have expanded AI-focused curricula and research partnerships. Government officials say collaboration between universities and private firms is central to sustaining innovation.

Broader Economic Context

India’s technology sector contributes significantly to national GDP, and artificial intelligence is seen as a multiplier across sectors such as manufacturing, fintech, healthcare and agriculture.

Analysts suggest that today’s summit reflects India’s broader strategy to position itself as both a technology developer and a trusted global partner in digital governance.

As global competition over AI intensifies, the New Delhi gathering signals India’s intent to play a decisive role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence policy and innovation.