On February 18, 2026, New Delhi will host the inaugural NDTV IND.AI Summit—a landmark gathering that reflects just how central artificial intelligence has become to India’s economic vision, policy direction, and strategic priorities.
Organised by NDTV in partnership with the Startup Policy Forum, the summit is designed as more than a tech conference. It positions AI as a defining force shaping governance, business, innovation, and everyday life. At a time when countries around the world are debating the risks and rewards of AI, India is asking a crucial question: how can it accelerate AI-driven growth while protecting public trust and ensuring social equity?
A Bigger Question at the Core
At the heart of the IND.AI Summit lies a fundamental challenge: how should AI be governed, deployed, and integrated into society in a way that is both transformative and responsible?
AI is no longer just a research breakthrough or a corporate tool. It influences decision-making in government, powers new business models, reshapes workplaces, and even affects how citizens access services. The summit seeks to explore how India can harness this technology at scale—without losing sight of accountability, fairness, and long-term societal impact.
Global Voices, Local Vision
One of the most anticipated sessions will focus on AI in governance, featuring former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who will bring a global perspective on how artificial intelligence is changing statecraft, public administration, and economic policy.
The summit also places strong emphasis on international cooperation and AI safety. Prominent global leaders in the field—including Chris Lehane of OpenAI, Stuart Russell of UC Berkeley, and James Manyika of Google—will contribute to conversations on accountability, risk management, and the evolving global framework for AI governance.
Their participation situates India firmly within the broader international debate. AI development today is deeply interconnected, and questions of regulation, safety, and innovation cannot be addressed in isolation. By hosting these voices, the summit underscores India’s intent to play an active role in shaping global standards.
As Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of NDTV, put it:
“The IND.AI Summit is about the kind of future we are choosing to build. India has the scale, the talent, and the moral imagination to shape how AI serves society—and this Summit is our way of bringing the most credible voices together to define that direction.”
AI in Practice: From Capital to Culture
Beyond high-level policy debates, the summit will explore how AI is transforming industries in real time. Influential investors and innovators—including Hemant Taneja of General Catalyst—will discuss how AI is redefining capital allocation, innovation cycles, and long-term value creation.
These sessions will examine how businesses are adapting to an AI-led world. From automation and advanced analytics to generative AI tools, companies are rethinking productivity, decision-making processes, and even organisational culture.
Another important theme is AI in the workplace. As automation changes job roles and workflows, leaders are grappling with questions about reskilling, human-AI collaboration, and the future of employment. The summit aims to bring clarity to how AI can enhance human capability rather than simply replace it.
Digital Public Infrastructure and Scale
India’s digital public infrastructure—often cited as a global model—will also feature prominently in the discussions. Sessions will explore how AI can build on existing platforms to improve service delivery, expand financial inclusion, and enhance transparency.
With systems that already operate at massive scale, India offers a unique testing ground for responsible AI deployment. The focus will be on ensuring that scale does not compromise inclusivity or trust. Instead, AI-enabled public systems can serve as examples of how technology can be aligned with public purpose.
The Debate on AI Sovereignty
A dedicated segment on AI sovereignty will tackle one of the most complex questions in today’s technology landscape: what does national autonomy mean in an interconnected digital ecosystem?
As AI systems rely on global supply chains, cloud infrastructure, and cross-border research collaboration, no country operates in isolation. The summit will examine how governments, open-source communities, academic institutions, and private enterprises can collectively steward AI in a way that balances national interests with global cooperation.
This conversation reflects a growing recognition that AI is not just about innovation—it is also about power, resilience, and strategic independence.
More Than a Technology Story
Running through every session is a shared understanding: AI is not merely a technological tool. It is a societal force that will influence opportunity, equity, governance, and global competitiveness for decades to come.
The NDTV IND.AI Summit, therefore, is as much about values as it is about algorithms. It is about defining how innovation connects to public good, and how economic ambition aligns with ethical responsibility.
As discussions unfold in New Delhi, the summit will also signal something broader—a more self-assured India that sees itself as an active participant in shaping global conversations on technology and innovation.
A Defining Moment
India is increasingly framing AI as part of its own developmental narrative—one that links innovation with inclusion and global engagement with domestic priorities. The NDTV IND.AI Summit represents a key milestone in that journey.
In many ways, the event is not just about the future of artificial intelligence. It is about how India envisions its place in a rapidly evolving world—confident, collaborative, and committed to ensuring that AI serves society at large.
As February 18 approaches, the summit promises to offer more than dialogue. It offers a glimpse into how India intends to shape the AI era—with ambition, responsibility, and purpose.
