A global Artificial Intelligence gathering to be hosted in New Delhi has sent a strong signal that India is committed to becoming a major force in the AI landscape, according to Indian-American business leader and philanthropist Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon.

Speaking ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 16–20, Tandon described the government’s focus on AI under Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “stunningly impressive” and praised the emphasis on using technology to benefit all sections of society.

Summit to Showcase India’s AI Vision

The summit, announced earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. It will revolve around the guiding principles of People, Planet, and Progress, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts from around the world.

Tandon noted that such a platform creates opportunities not only for formal discussions but also for meaningful collaborations and innovation through informal exchanges among global participants. She said the event demonstrates that India intends to leverage its demographic strength and technological capabilities to contribute solutions of global relevance.

Landmark AI School at IIM Ahmedabad

In a significant step toward building long-term AI capacity, Tandon and her husband Ranjan Tandon recently exchanged an MoU with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad to establish the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence. The school will be supported by an endowment of ₹100 crore and is expected to become the first dedicated AI and data science school within a management institution in India.

Tandon called the initiative a “real milestone for India,” explaining that the school will focus on translational research—applying AI to real-world challenges across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and industry.

Focus on Research, Partnerships and Education

The new school will operate around the themes of F.I.R.E.—foundational partnerships, impact, research, and education. According to Tandon, the goal is to cultivate a new generation of thinkers equipped with critical, ethical, and emotional intelligence to navigate the rapidly evolving AI-driven economy.

The MoU was exchanged on January 29 in the presence of Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan and Ambassador Vinay Kwatra, virtually in the United States. Pradhan described the initiative as a strong reflection of India’s concrete actions to emerge as a global AI powerhouse.

AI to Transform Work, Governance and Society

Tandon emphasised that AI is redefining industries, governance, and the future of work, making it essential to study its impact on productivity, security, and social systems. She said the initiative aims to make AI accessible and relevant, helping leaders and institutions apply advanced technologies to solve practical challenges.

Highlighting collaboration as a central principle, she stressed that the school would work with other institutions rather than compete, creating a cooperative ecosystem for advancing AI education and research in India.

A Global Opportunity Rooted in India

With initiatives like the India AI Impact Summit and the establishment of specialised academic centres, India is positioning itself as a hub for inclusive and applied AI innovation. Tandon expressed confidence that solutions developed in India will resonate globally, offering lessons that extend far beyond national boundaries.

Also Read | Odisha Signs MoU with Sarvam AI to Set Up Sovereign AI Capacity Hub, Aiming for Population-Scale Impact

As India deepens its investments in talent, research, and partnerships, the upcoming summit is expected to further reinforce the country’s ambition to shape the next phase of AI development with a focus on societal impact and global collaboration.

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