New Delhi: The second day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam shifted the spotlight from technological promise to measurable public impact, with policymakers, researchers and industry leaders emphasising the need to translate artificial intelligence into practical solutions that improve citizens’ lives.
Addressing a key session titled “From Algorithms to Outcomes: Building AI that Works for People,” S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), said the India AI Mission is designed to address diverse needs and real-world challenges.
He underlined that investments in compute capacity, models and datasets must ultimately lead to deployable applications. “We are providing compute, models and data for one reason only — to build applications with real impact. Whether AI succeeds beyond the hype depends entirely on whether it delivers solutions that improve lives,” Krishnan said, urging delegates to explore the expo featuring over 600 startups and companies demonstrating AI use cases across healthcare, agriculture, education and manufacturing.
Krishnan, according to an official release, highlighted that governments often face structural constraints in scaling essential services. AI, he noted, can enhance productivity and service quality if adopted responsibly. He stressed the importance of choosing workable solutions, safeguarding privacy, and ensuring that public expenditure results in measurable outcomes.
Iqbal Singh Dhaliwal, Global Executive Director of J-PAL, cautioned against viewing AI as a universal remedy. He emphasised the role of rigorous evaluation in development interventions. “A technology can appear promising in theory but fail in field conditions. We must ask not just whether AI works, but for whom, in which contexts, and with what outcomes,” Dhaliwal said, advocating evidence-based scaling.
Michael Kremer, University Professor in Economics at the University of Chicago, pointed to emerging examples where AI has shown early benefits, including traffic enforcement, automated testing systems, health and personalised learning. However, he observed that technology adoption within public systems remains complex. “Evaluation is critical so that states and institutions can learn from each other. AI’s potential will be realised through evidence, system-level change and careful implementation,” Kremer said.
The summit’s broader agenda on Day 2 included discussions on AI governance, sectoral adoption and digital safety. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the five-day event on Monday, reiterated in a post that intelligence and rationality are essential to ensure AI benefits society, adding that the summit seeks to explore AI applications in the public interest.
Meanwhile, Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed concerns raised after Day 1, where some attendees reported overcrowding and logistical challenges. Calling the turnout “phenomenal,” Vaishnaw apologised to visitors who faced difficulties and said corrective steps had been initiated. “We have a dedicated war room operating round the clock. The organisation is much smoother now, and we remain open to feedback to improve the experience,” he said at a press briefing.
Vaishnaw also highlighted the growing risks associated with deepfake technologies, calling for stronger regulatory frameworks. “Deepfakes are an emerging threat. We have initiated dialogue with the industry to protect society from potential harm,” he said.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, being held from February 16 to 20, has drawn participation from global technology leaders, government representatives, startups, academia and international partners. Officials said the event aims to foster collaboration, innovation and discussions on responsible AI deployment, while showcasing India’s expanding AI ecosystem.
