India to Promote Global AI Commons at 2026 New Delhi Summit

India is preparing to advance its proposal for a global AI commons at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which will be held in New Delhi. The initiative aims to support broader access to artificial intelligence resources and knowledge, particularly for countries in the Global South.

The summit is scheduled to take place from February 16 to 20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This event marks the first time a global AI summit will be hosted in the Global South, with participation expected from more than 20 heads of state and delegates representing over 60 countries.

Abhishek Singh, CEO of India’s AI Mission, stated that India’s focus is on making AI accessible to a wider range of nations, especially those in the Global South. He said the country will highlight AI applications in sectors such as education, healthcare, and agriculture during the summit.

India’s proposal includes the creation of an open-source repository to share AI use cases across various sectors. The repository is expected to feature tools for bias mitigation, ethical certification, anonymization, and stress testing, according to government statements.

What the numbers show

• The summit will take place from February 16 to 20, 2026
• More than 20 heads of state and over 60 countries will participate
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the plenary on February 19, 2026

India’s approach to AI policy builds on its experience with digital public infrastructure, such as the India Stack, which was presented during the country’s 2023 G20 presidency. The government is proposing a funding facility to support the global AI commons initiative as part of its broader strategy.

Several AI models have been developed in India, including Sarvam-1, Krutrim-1, Krutrim-2, BharatGPT, Chitrarth-1, and Dhwani-1. These models reflect ongoing efforts to advance AI capabilities within the country and contribute to the proposed commons.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the main plenary session of the summit on February 19, 2026. His participation is expected to emphasize India’s priorities for AI development and international cooperation in this field.

The summit will bring together leaders and representatives from a diverse set of countries, including France and Brazil. The event is positioned as a platform for sharing AI knowledge and resources, with a focus on practical applications and collaborative policy development.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.