New Delhi is gearing up for a historic gathering as the AI Impact Summit 2026 kicks off tomorrow, Monday, February 16, drawing an impressive array of world leaders, global CEOs, representatives from international organizations, and top experts. Hosted at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this marks the first international AI summit in the Global South and will span four days at Bharat Mandapam, concluding on February 20.
Security measures for the high-profile event are robust, with over 10,000 police personnel deployed to ensure smooth proceedings at the venue in the heart of the Indian capital. The summit's scale underscores its global significance, attracting ministerial delegations from more than 45 nations alongside senior officials from key United Nations agencies and other international bodies.
Leading the notable attendees is United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who will be joined by a cadre of prominent UN figures. Accompanying him are Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Amandeep Singh Gill, Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies; and Kamal Kishore, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Further bolstering the summit's international roster are leaders from major financial and labor organizations, including Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), will also participate in the discussions.
In addition to these high-level dignitaries, senior officials from a wide range of UN-affiliated entities are expected, including representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).
The AI Impact Summit 2026 promises to be a pivotal platform for shaping the future of artificial intelligence on a global scale, with deliberations set to influence policies and collaborations across borders during its four-day run at Bharat Mandapam.
