India Positions AI as the Fifth Industrial Revolution at Global AI Impact Summit 2026 Day 2
India sent a powerful message to the world on Day 2 of the AI Impact Summit 2026: artificial intelligence is no longer just a technological tool, it is the foundation of the next industrial revolution. Addressing global leaders, industry giants and policymakers at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw declared AI the ‘fifth industrial revolution’ and outlined India’s ambition to attract over $200 billion in investments across the AI ecosystem over the next two years.
With more than 20 Heads of State, 60 ministers and over 500 global AI leaders in attendance, the AI Impact Summit 2026 has positioned India at the centre of the global AI conversation. From sovereign AI infrastructure and data centre expansion to stronger regulation of deepfakes and the launch of an AI ka UPI platform, Day 2 reflected a nation moving from vision to execution.
India Positions AI as the Fifth Industrial Revolution
- Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described artificial intelligence as the fifth industrial revolution, placing it alongside past transformations like steam power, electricity, and the internet.
- He said AI will reshape entire economies and societies, not just specific industries or technologies.
- According to Vaishnaw, AI will have a deep impact across key sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, governance, and digital public services.
- The minister stressed that India’s approach to AI is strategic, not dependent, highlighting the need to develop and control its own AI capabilities.
- He underlined the concept of sovereign AI, stating that India does not want to rely on foreign systems for critical and strategic technological requirements.
- Building indigenous AI infrastructure and models, he said, is essential to ensure national security, technological self-reliance, and long-term economic competitiveness.
India Unveils $200 Billion Roadmap to Strengthen AI Stack and Data Centres
One of the biggest announcements of the day was India’s target to attract more than $200 billion in investments over the next two years across the five layers of the AI stack.
Vaishnaw said the investments would span:
- AI computing infrastructure and data centres
- Semiconductor and hardware ecosystems
- AI models and Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Platforms and application layers
- Sectoral AI solutions across industries
Separately, he noted that India is being seen as a trusted AI partner to the Global South, offering open, affordable and development-focused solutions.
He also highlighted that India hopes to attract up to $200 billion specifically in data centre investments, strengthening its position as a global AI infrastructure hub.
India Introduces AI ka UPI to Accelerate AI Innovation Nationwide
In a move aimed at democratising AI access, the government announced plans to create ‘AI ka UPI’ a bouquet of trusted AI solutions designed as a platform similar to India’s digital payments system.
“We will be creating ‘AI ka UPI’, a bouquet of trusted solutions which will be presented as a UPI-like platform which will be available for people to build on,” Vaishnaw said.
The initiative aims to:
- Provide standardised and secure AI tools for developers
- Enable scalable innovation
- Promote trust in AI systems
- Lower entry barriers for startups and innovators
The model reflects India’s success with Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including Aadhaar and UPI, which have scaled technology access to millions.
India Seeks Stricter Laws to Curb Deepfake Misuse
Amid growing concerns about misinformation and digital manipulation, the Union Minister called for stronger regulation of deepfakes.
“I think we need stronger regulation on deepfakes. It is a problem growing day by day. We need to protect our society from this harm,” Vaishnaw said.
He also added that the government has initiated dialogue with industry stakeholders to develop safeguards ensuring responsible AI deployment.
The regulatory focus signals India’s intent to balance rapid innovation with public safety and ethical accountability.
India Sets Clear Rules for Big Tech in the AI Era
Vaishnaw also delivered a clear message to multinational technology companies operating in India.
“Netflix, Meta must work under the legal framework of India. Multinational companies must operate under the cultural context,” he said.
The statement reinforced India’s position that global platforms must comply with domestic laws and respect local values while operating within the country’s digital ecosystem.
Delhi Takes Center Stage as Global Leaders Discuss AI
The AI Impact Summit 2026 diplomatic significance is equally notable. Among the leaders attending or expected to attend are:
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Estonian President Alar Karis
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil
- Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan
- President Pedro Sánchez of Spain
- President Anura Kumara Disanayaka of Sri Lanka
- Prime Minister Petteri Orpo of Finland
- President Guy Parmelin of Switzerland
Over 20 Heads of State and Government, along with 60 ministers, are participating in discussions anchored around three pillars : People, Planet and Progress.
US-India Business Council President Mukesh Aghi described India as taking “a very strong lead in trying to make AI more affordable, scalable, and accessible.”
AI Policy Discussions and Global South Representation
- BJP MP and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla called for a new global governance framework to regulate emerging technologies like AI, arguing that existing institutions such as the UN and WTO are not fully equipped to manage futuristic technologies.
- Meanwhile, voices at the summit emphasised that the Global South must not become merely a data source in the AI era. Discussions highlighted the need for equitable access and benefit-sharing in the evolving AI economy.
- Amitabh Kant cautioned that if AI creates a highly unequal society, “we have failed,” urging inclusive digital public infrastructure to prevent concentration of benefits.
A Defining Moment for India’s AI Strategy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the summit as a convergence of “ideas, innovation and intent,” reiterating that AI must serve the larger public good.
Day 2 of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 clearly established three core themes:
- AI as a strategic national priority
- Massive investment-led infrastructure expansion
- Responsible, inclusive and sovereign AI development
With its push for $200 billion in investments, launch of AI ka UPI, regulatory clarity on deepfakes and a strong diplomatic turnout, India has positioned itself not just as a participant in the AI revolution but as a global ecosystem builder.
The coming days of the summit are expected to further define how this ambitious roadmap translates into real-world implementation.
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