New Delhi, February 16 (IANS). There is a lot of enthusiasm in the country and the world regarding the AI Impact Summit 2026, which started in the national capital from Monday. Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology S. Krishnan told news agency IANS that preparations for this conference had been going on for about a year. In February last year, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the AI Action Summit held in France, he had announced that this year’s summit would be held in India.
He said that preparations for this had started since then. Many institutions and organizations were contacted, different sessions were organized and a huge expo was also organized. So far, more than 2.5 lakh people have registered to participate in it.
Heads of state or government of more than 20 countries are taking part in this conference. Ministers from more than 40 countries are participating in it. More than 100 international delegations, more than 100 CEOs and around 500 academicians and social sector experts are participating. Altogether 460 parallel programs are being organised.
S. Krishnan said that to achieve the goal of ‘Developed India’ by 2047, we have to ride this technological wave of AI. It is important that this technology be used in the interest of the country.
Takumi Miyakawa, Deputy Director of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), said that the new government in Japan is also very serious about AI. He told that the Prime Minister of Japan has also stressed the importance of AI. The Japanese government is supporting its AI industry and companies in developing models.
He expressed hope that India and Japan will become special partners in the field of AI. The governments of both the countries are discussing increasing cooperation in this direction.
Furthermore, former CEO of Prasar Bharati and Padma Shri awardee Shashi Shekhar Vempati said that it is a matter of pride for India that such a big AI conference is being held here. He said that heads of many countries of the world, industry leaders, startups, young innovators and researchers are coming here. This shows that India is playing a leading role in the field of AI.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged as the voice of the Global South. Now is not the time when some countries move forward on the basis of technology and others are left behind. Today the whole world is eyeing the results of this conference.
Vempati said that just as India became a major center of internet services, similarly India is now moving towards becoming the world’s Artificial Intelligence provider. He further said that during the Corona period, when there was fear about the vaccine in many countries, India rapidly adopted the vaccine. Similarly, when there are apprehensions about AI in many countries, India is seeing it as an opportunity.
While talking to IANS he further said that India is the largest democracy in the world. The English-speaking population here is large, mobile and internet usage is widespread and the level of digital services is also high. Also, the level of AI tools and AI literacy is also quite good in India. A report by Stanford University also said that the use of AI is increasing rapidly in India.
He said that now is the time for India to create its own AI models and applications and not just remain a consumer of foreign platforms. This AI Impact Summit will prove to be a big platform for the country’s startups, youth and investors.
–IANS
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