Delhi : The India AI Impact Summit 2026, held in New Delhi from February 16–20 at Bharat Mandapam, has captured global attention as the first major AI gathering in the Global South. While headlines have focused on the controversy involving Galgotias University’s removal from the expo over misrepresenting a Chinese-made robotic dog as its own innovation, the event’s broader significance lies in showcasing India’s growing AI ecosystem and homegrown innovations driving real-world impact.
Organized under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the summit emphasizes “AI for Humanity,” inclusive growth, and sustainable development. It features high-profile participants, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Google’s Sundar Pichai, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, and leaders from international organizations like the World Bank. Discussions span policy coordination, foundational AI infrastructure, and practical applications in health, education, and economic productivity.
Amid the expo’s 300+ exhibitors from India and over 30 countries, several Made-in-India AI products stood out for their innovative, locally relevant solutions. These highlight India’s push toward sovereign AI capabilities, on-device processing, and sector-specific tools.
One standout is EkaScribe, an AI medical scribe from Eka Care. In busy rural or urban clinics, doctors can handle multiple patients without typing. The tool listens to consultations in real time—supporting English and regional languages like Hindi and Tamil—then generates structured clinical notes, prescriptions, and records. This reduces administrative burden, combats clinician burnout, and improves focus on patient care, with secure, India-hosted data compliance.
In healthcare logistics, Ottobots (from Ottonomy.IO) demonstrate Level-4 autonomous delivery robots navigating complex hospital environments, including elevators and corridors. These Made-in-India bots deliver medicines efficiently, eliminating the need for family members or staff to rush to pharmacies and addressing workforce shortages in high-demand settings.
Sarvam AI, a Bengaluru-based startup, unveiled two impressive products. Sarvam Kaze smart glasses—previewed with PM Modi trying them on—offer real-time visual assistance. They capture what the wearer sees and provide explanations or translations in local Indian languages via bone conduction audio, acting as an intelligent companion rather than just a recorder. A localized alternative to global wearables, Kaze is set for launch in May 2026.
Complementing this, Sarvam Edge enables powerful AI directly on phones or laptops with zero internet. It supports real-time translation across 22 languages (including 10+ Indic ones) in over 110 pairs, plus speech recognition and synthesis—ideal for basements, remote areas, or privacy-sensitive scenarios.
For sustainability, Mankomb Technologies’ “Chewie” is an AI-native under-counter kitchen appliance that processes wet waste—including bones, meat, and fluids—into nutrient-rich “RegenSoil” in hours. Using real-time sensors, it operates odor-free and automatically, turning urban household waste into usable soil and promoting zero-waste living.
These innovations underscore the summit’s core message: AI’s potential for tangible, inclusive benefits. Beyond any single controversy, the event positions India as a leader in responsible, impactful AI deployment for the Global South and beyond.