Monday marked the start of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital, where experts highlighted AI’s pivotal role in driving inclusive development for a billion-plus population.
V. Anant Nageswaran, India’s Chief Economic Adviser, warned of the perils of delayed AI integration, which could shrink vital economic pathways annually. “Act now to tap AI for inclusive growth,” he implored.
Positioning India as a trailblazer where human and artificial intelligence amplify each other, Nageswaran rallied for unified action under ‘Team India.’ Robust foundational learning and scalable elite skills are foundational, he insisted.
Proactive governance, unwavering political support, and capability building are essential for AI momentum, he explained. Priority actions: skill and education revolutions, labor-service growth, and regulatory streamlining.
The alternative? Social-economic turbulence. MeitY’s S. Krishnan called for inclusive AI ecosystems. “Democratic access to AI, with people driving change,” he emphasized, viewing AI as an economic accelerator for India and emerging markets.
The event fosters optimism, outlining pathways to ensure AI benefits permeate every societal layer, securing long-term inclusive success.