GLOBAL LEADERS BACK INDIA'S VISION FOR RESPONSIBLE AI

India positioned itself at the centre of the global artificial intelligence debate as leaders, innovators and industry giants converged in New Delhi for the AI Impact Summit 2026.

- BRYAN THOMAS/TDG NETWORK

Summit anchored in three pillars: People, Planet, Progress

New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam this week transformed into a live demonstration of India's expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem as the India AI Impact Summit 2026 convened more than 3,250 speakers across over 500 sessions. Policymakers, technologists, entrepreneurs and global leaders shared a common platform, presenting AI not as abstract code but as an embedded force across industry, mobility, culture and governance.

The summit, anchored in the three pillars of People, Planet and Progress, showcased AI applications ranging from traditional crafts to advanced aerospace. Among the standout exhibits was Tata Consultancy Services' AI-assisted sari weaving model, where algorithms enhance precision and quality control while the loom remains human-operated — a demonstration of augmentation rather than displacement.

Urban mobility emerged as a major theme. India’s first indigenous AI-powered air taxi, developed by The ePlane Company in collaboration with IIT Madras, drew sustained interest. The electric vertical takeoff and landing platform is designed to reduce congestion in major cities through short-haul aerial transit. On the ground, autonomous industrial robots capable of transporting heavy payloads, robotic mules built for difficult terrain, and robotic dogs engineered for hazardous inspections illustrated the widening scope of AI-driven automation.