Prof D Mukherjee
mukhopadhyay.dinabandhu@gmail.com
The India AI Impact Expo 2026, held from 16-20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, was one of India’s most significant gatherings on artificial intelligence in recent years. Organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology with industry and research partners, it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who served as chief host and outlined India’s vision for a human-centric AI future. The Expo brought together ministers, global technology leaders, researchers, startup founders, and multilateral institutions, underscoring AI’s growing geopolitical and economic importance. It featured technology demonstrations, policy dialogues, startup showcases, and international cooperation sessions highlighting AI’s transformative potential in governance, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, education, and financial inclusion. A major highlight was the CEO Roundtable and keynote sessions on 19 February 2026, where global executives and policymakers deliberated on responsible AI governance, innovation ecosystems, and ethical deployment frameworks. India’s hosting of the Expo reflects its ambition to act as a bridge between advanced digital economies and developing nations. Over the past decade, India has built expansive digital public infrastructure enabling large-scale service delivery and financial inclusion, creating a strong foundation for AI deployment at population scale. The discussions emphasized trust, transparency, inclusivity, and ethical governance, recognizing AI not merely as a technological tool but as a societal force shaping economic structures and human capability
During the Expo’s technical sessions and research forums, experts outlined the development of artificial intelligence from its early theoretical foundations to its present transformative impact. AI became an established academic field in 1956 when scientists proposed that machines could imitate human reasoning and decision-making. Early systems were based on fixed rules and worked effectively in structured settings but lacked flexibility and learning capability. The modern revival of AI emerged in the 21st century, fuelled by dramatic advances in computing power, cloud technologies, and the availability of large datasets. Machine learning enabled computers to learn from experience rather than rely solely on programmed instructions, while deep learning systems-loosely inspired by neural networks-made it possible to detect patterns in complex data. Specialists explained that modern AI operates through data collection, model training, inference, and continuous refinement. Machine learning enhances prediction accuracy over time, while neural networks support near-human recognition of speech, images, and patterns. Major domains include natural language processing for understanding and generating language, computer vision for visual interpretation, generative AI for creating text and designs, and robotics for intelligent physical automation. Unlike earlier technologies, AI augments cognitive tasks rather than merely replacing manual labour. It aids medical diagnosis, climate analysis, financial forecasting, governance planning, and disaster response. However, concerns remain about bias, opacity, and concentration of power, underscoring the need for transparency, accountability, and effective regulation.
The Expo underscored that artificial intelligence has become a central axis of global technological competition and cooperation. Nations are racing to harness AI’s economic and strategic benefits while addressing risks related to employment disruption, privacy, and security. India’s policy approach emphasizes inclusive innovation. Frameworks advanced by NITI Aayog promote the vision of “AI for All,” focusing on public welfare applications such as healthcare diagnostics, agricultural productivity, smart mobility, and educational access. India’s expanding digital infrastructure enables AI-enabled public services at population scale, offering a model for developing economies. Globally, the United States continues to lead in AI research and commercialization, supported by private-sector innovation ecosystems including OpenAI. Meanwhile, China has adopted a state-coordinated strategy integrating AI into industrial policy, smart cities, and surveillance systems. The European Union has emerged as a regulatory leader, advancing risk-based governance frameworks emphasizing privacy, transparency, and human rights. Representatives from developing nations warned that unequal access to data infrastructure, computing power, and AI skills could widen global inequality. Calls were made for open-source tools, capacity building, and technology transfer to ensure inclusive participation. Industry leaders highlighted rapid AI integration across supply chains, predictive analytics, customer service, and fraud detection. While productivity gains are significant, workforce disruption remains a concern. Overall, the global response balances innovation, competition, regulation, and ethical caution.
Expo demonstrations and policy discussions highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in transforming resource management across the globe. By processing large volumes of data and producing predictive insights, AI enables more efficient allocation and sustainable use of energy, water, agriculture, and urban infrastructure. In advanced economies, AI-enabled smart grids anticipate energy demand, optimize distribution, and incorporate renewable power sources. Such predictive systems minimize wastage, strengthen system resilience, and contribute to climate sustainability targets. In India, AI adoption reflects developmental priorities. Smart irrigation technologies evaluate soil moisture, weather trends, and crop cycles to improve water efficiency, while precision farming boosts productivity and reduces fertilizer use and environmental damage. Urban management is also evolving through AI applications. Intelligent traffic systems analyse real-time mobility patterns to reduce congestion and emissions. Waste management solutions employ predictive routing and automated sorting to enhance recycling efficiency. Water monitoring technologies detect leaks, assess contamination risks, and optimize consumption-critical for water-scarce regions. AI-driven logistics further improve demand forecasting, inventory planning, and route optimization, lowering fuel consumption and operational costs while increasing reliability. Whereas advanced economies emphasize sustainability, developing nations prioritize scalability and accessibility. AI’s adaptability supports both aims. Successful deployment, however, requires robust data systems, infrastructure readiness, and effective governance. Transparency, fairness, and equitable access must guide implementation, positioning AI as a cornerstone of sustainable resource stewardship.
One of the most debated themes during the Expo’s leadership dialogues and the 19 February CEO Roundtable was whether artificial intelligence poses a threat to human civilization. Experts presented a balanced perspective. Concerns include employment disruption as automation replaces routine tasks across industries. Without reskilling programs and social protections, technological displacement could widen inequality. Algorithmic bias is another concern. AI systems trained on skewed datasets may reinforce discrimination in hiring, credit decisions, and public service delivery. Security risks include cyber warfare, autonomous weapons, misinformation campaigns, and deepfakes capable of undermining democratic institutions. Privacy concerns also arise from AI-enabled surveillance. Some experts warned about long-term risks associated with artificial general intelligence, though these remain speculative. Conversely, AI offers transformative benefits. It enhances medical diagnostics, accelerates drug discovery, improves disaster prediction, and strengthens climate modelling. Assistive technologies empower persons with disabilities, and AI-enabled education expands access to learning. Historical evidence shows technological revolutions create new industries while displacing others. With appropriate policy frameworks and workforce training, AI can augment human capabilities rather than replace them. The consensus emerging from discussions was that AI itself is not inherently dangerous; risks arise from misuse, poor governance, and concentration of power. Ethical design, transparency, and democratic oversight are essential to ensuring AI strengthens rather than threatens civilization.
The Expo highlighted India’s unique advantages in the AI era. Unlike many advanced economies with aging populations, India combines demographic vitality, digital expansion, and cost-efficient innovation ecosystems. India’s scale and diversity generate vast multilingual datasets essential for building inclusive AI systems capable of operating in complex real-world environments. Digital public infrastructure provides a foundational advantage by enabling identity verification, financial inclusion, and efficient service delivery. These platforms support AI-enabled governance at population scale. India’s talent base is another strength. Millions of STEM graduates and a globally influential technology diaspora contribute to innovation ecosystems worldwide. Frugal innovation distinguishes India’s AI ecosystem. Startups develop cost-effective solutions that deliver high impact, making AI technologies accessible to developing nations. Geopolitically, India maintains partnerships with Western economies while engaging with the Global South, enabling it to shape inclusive AI governance frameworks. Compared with advanced economies, India’s regulatory flexibility allows experimentation and rapid deployment. However, safeguards for privacy and ethical AI remain essential. India is well positioned to pioneer scalable AI solutions in agriculture, healthcare delivery, language technologies, and financial inclusion – solutions adaptable across the developing world. India’s leverage derives not only from technology but from scale, diversity, talent, and commitment to inclusive digital transformation.
The closing sessions of the India AI Impact Expo 2026 underscored the pressing need for governance models that carefully balance technological innovation with ethical accountability. Policymakers identified major challenges, including data privacy, algorithmic transparency, workforce displacement, digital divides, and emerging security threats. A central dilemma remains how to protect individual rights while sustaining innovation. For India, participants recommended establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework aligned with international norms yet flexible enough to encourage experimentation. Greater investment in AI research infrastructure, accessible public datasets, and large-scale reskilling initiatives was considered vital. Promoting open-source platforms was also viewed as a way to strengthen startups and extend technological benefits to developing countries. International collaboration was emphasized as equally important. The European Union provides an example of rights-based AI regulation, while innovation-led economies demonstrate how scalable ecosystems can drive growth. Harmonized global standards would reduce regulatory fragmentation and enhance interoperability. Delegates advocated multilateral governance principles, cross-border research partnerships, ethical certification systems, and capacity-building programs for emerging economies. The Expo concluded that AI’s trajectory will depend as much on sound policies and shared values as on technical breakthroughs. Responsibly guided, AI can advance sustainable development and social resilience; poorly governed, it risks widening inequality and weakening public trust.
(The columnist is Chief Education Officer & Principal Secretary to Office of Chairman, IIMSTC, Bangalore)
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