Altman, Pichai and Global AI Leaders Head to India for AI Impact Summit

India is set to host some of the world’s most influential technology leaders this week as New Delhi prepares for the AI Impact Summit — a high-profile gathering that underscores the country’s growing importance in the global artificial intelligence race.

Among the top executives expected to attend are OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, along with leaders from Anthropic and Google DeepMind. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who was initially expected to join, will reportedly not attend due to unforeseen circumstances.

The summit places India at the center of global AI conversations at a time when major economies are competing to attract investment, talent and infrastructure in artificial intelligence. Previous editions of similar AI-focused government summits have been held in the U.K., South Korea and France, but India’s edition is drawing particular attention due to the scale and strategic significance of its market.

AI Impact Summit

India represents one of the most compelling growth stories in technology today. With a young, digitally native population and rapidly expanding internet penetration, the country has become a priority market for global AI firms.

India is already among the largest user bases for AI tools such as ChatGPT. Global AI companies are aggressively expanding their footprint in the country, offering free or low-cost access to capture users in what is becoming one of the most competitive battlegrounds for generative AI adoption.

Unlike markets such as the U.S. or China, India does not yet have a dominant domestic large language model competing at global scale. This presents a strategic opportunity for international players to build brand loyalty, collect usage data, and establish early leadership in the ecosystem.

Infrastructure Push: Data Centers and Chips

AI infrastructure is expected to be a major theme at the summit. As demand for computing power surges worldwide, India is positioning itself as a destination for data center expansion and semiconductor manufacturing.

In recent years, the Indian government has approved semiconductor projects worth nearly $18 billion in an effort to develop a domestic chip ecosystem. Global companies including Amazon, Microsoft and Intel have already committed to expanding AI infrastructure and chip capabilities in the country.

The broader strategy is clear: reduce dependence on imports, strengthen supply chains, and transform India into a global manufacturing and innovation hub.

The government has also successfully encouraged companies like Apple to increase manufacturing operations in India, reinforcing the country’s ambitions of becoming a critical node in global technology supply chains.

Venture Capital and IPO Momentum

The timing of the AI Impact Summit also coincides with renewed investor interest in India’s startup ecosystem. Venture capital activity, while globally cautious, continues to see selective momentum in India’s deeptech and AI sectors.

At the same time, Indian stock markets have witnessed a rise in public listings, further signaling confidence in the country’s technology-driven growth story.

Global companies are increasingly viewing India not just as a cost-efficient backend destination but as a strategic market for product development, innovation, and long-term expansion.

India as an AI Talent Powerhouse

Beyond market size and infrastructure, India’s most powerful advantage may be its talent pool.

The country continues to produce a vast number of engineers and data scientists each year, many of whom are specializing in AI, machine learning, digital engineering, and product development.

This talent advantage is reflected in the rapid growth of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) across India. A significant portion of GCCs established in the past two years are focused on AI, data, and digital engineering functions. A large share of new centers expected in the coming months are projected to be AI-led.

Multinational companies are not only building engineering teams in India but are increasingly establishing leadership roles tied to AI strategy within the country. The creation of senior AI-focused positions signals a shift in how India is perceived — from an outsourcing hub to a strategic decision-making center.

Strategic Timing Amid India–U.S. Reset

The summit also takes place at a time when India and the United States are recalibrating economic ties and pushing toward deeper trade engagement. Technology collaboration — particularly in AI and semiconductors — is emerging as a central pillar of this relationship.

By hosting the AI Impact Summit, India is signaling that it intends to be more than just a participant in the AI revolution. It aims to shape it.

With global AI leaders gathering in New Delhi, the message is unmistakable: India is no longer an emerging tech market on the sidelines — it is fast becoming a central arena in the global AI power play.