India has made significant progress in developing an environment for artificial intelligence (AI) that is inclusive and responsible. On Thursday, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)’s IndiaAI Mission hosted a regional pre-summit event in Gandhinagar. An important step towards the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, which will take place in New Delhi from February 15–20 of next year, is this event, which is being conducted at Mahatma Mandir in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar.
In order to discuss how AI may support India’s digital transformation and economic growth, the Pre-Summit seeks to bring together senior policymakers, researchers, technology experts, and industry players. Particular focus is placed on using AI to enhance public services, encourage growth in both urban and rural areas, and enhance governance.
To begin the festivities, prominent Gujarati and federal government leaders attended the inauguration. Notable attendees included Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, State Minister for Science and Technology Arjunbhai Modhwadia, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Das, Additional Secretary MeitY and NIC Director General Abhishek Singh, and Department of Science & Technology Secretary Ponugumatla Bharathi. Their existence illustrates the growing national effort to establish an artificial intelligence-powered public administration system.
The conference, which has as its topic “AI for Good Governance: Empowering India’s Digital Future,” will comprise talks and keynote addresses by eminent professionals from India and other countries. AI in governance, smart rural development, agricultural intelligence, healthcare innovation, generative AI, digital inclusion, and fintech growth are just a few of the subjects that representatives from MeitY, Bhashini, Google Cloud, Microsoft, IBM Research, NVIDIA, Oracle, and AWS are discussing.
The conference’s main focus is multilingual AI, which is essential for a multicultural nation like India. Discussions emphasise how language technology, like Bhashini, can guarantee that AI solutions benefit everyone, regardless of language or location, and help break down barriers to communication.
Additionally, participants can visit an Experience Zone developed by IndiaAI in association with the Department of Science & Technology of Gujarat. Live examples of AI solutions that are already improving industry, healthcare, agriculture, and government are on display in this area. Giving delegates hands-on experience with technologies that are citizen-focused, scalable, and in line with the larger vision of Digital India is the aim.
The IndiaAI Regional Pre-Summit in Gandhinagar is an important step towards the 2026 India–AI Impact Summit. This event brings together policymakers, technologists, and academic experts, showing India’s dedication to developing AI frameworks that are clear, reliable, and focused on the public good. The partnership among national institutions, state governments, and industry leaders positions India to create a strong, sustainable, and inclusive AI ecosystem that promotes good governance and supports the country’s digital future.
Additionally, the Pre-Summit demonstrates India’s goal to ensure that new AI developments go beyond theory and have a real impact in various sectors. With an emphasis on multilingual AI, solutions for citizens, and scalable digital infrastructure, the event showcases India’s readiness to take a global lead in responsible AI use. As we prepare for the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, the Gandhinagar meeting plays contributes to national growth, societal well being, and fair digital progress.