Policymakers and leaders gathered in New Delhi for the inaugural India AI Impact Summit 2026 on Monday, unanimously declaring AI vital for inclusive growth amid rapid technological shifts.
Delivering a keynote, Chief Economic Adviser V. Anant Nageswaran cautioned against complacency. “Each year’s lag in AI progress restricts our economic and tech options,” he said, pushing for immediate steps to integrate AI into inclusive development strategies.
India could lead globally as the first large nation blending human enrichment with AI prowess, Nageswaran proposed. He advocated ‘Team India’ collaboration across sectors, emphasizing fortified primary education and broad skills enhancement.
“AI won’t advance automatically—it needs readiness, resolve, and resources,” the CEA stressed. The journey begins with educational overhauls and skills upgrades, extending to service sector expansion and easing regulations.
Inaction invites chaos, he alerted. Electronics and IT Secretary S. Krishnan advocated human-centered AI, insisting on equitable access. “Place people at the core, democratizing AI tools,” Krishnan urged, touting its potential to supercharge economies worldwide, especially in the Global South.
As discussions unfold, the summit underscores India’s strategic pivot toward AI-driven equity, promising a blueprint for sustainable advancement.