Artificial Intelligence – India Positions Itself as Global AI Leader
Artificial Intelligence – India took a decisive step toward strengthening its global artificial intelligence footprint as policymakers and industry leaders gathered for the AI Impact Summit 2026. The event is being viewed as a strategic platform to reinforce India’s growing influence in the AI ecosystem and to showcase innovation emerging from across the country.
Building India’s Global AI Identity
Speaking at the summit, Anna Roy, who serves as Mission Director of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform at NITI Aayog and also leads key programme initiatives there, said the forum should help establish India as a significant force in the international AI landscape. According to her, the summit is not merely a conference but an opportunity to present India’s technological capabilities to the world.
Roy emphasized that sustained recognition in artificial intelligence requires more than technological breakthroughs. It also demands institutional support, collaborative networks, and an inclusive innovation environment that allows entrepreneurs to grow from early-stage ideas to scalable enterprises.
Dedicated Support for Women-Led AI Startups
A major highlight of the event was the announcement of a focused capacity-building initiative for 150 shortlisted women-led AI startups. The programme will provide structured mentorship, industry exposure, and networking opportunities through partnerships with ecosystem stakeholders.
Roy explained that entrepreneurial success cannot rely on isolated assistance. Instead, founders need end-to-end support systems that address skill development, market access, funding readiness, and strategic guidance. The newly launched initiative aims to create that comprehensive backing for selected participants.
The response to the challenge was substantial. More than 800 applications were submitted by startups across the country. Roy detailed the multi-layered evaluation process, which began with an internal screening and moved to 63 virtual jury panels. To ensure fairness and credibility, the assessment was conducted through a transparent digital scoring system, with consulting firm EY overseeing the end-to-end process. Applications were evaluated anonymously to maintain impartiality.
WEP’s Vision: From Aspiration to Scale
During a session titled Access to Acceleration: How WEP Supports Women Founders, Roy elaborated on the broader mission of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform. She described WEP’s approach as one centered on empowerment, with the goal of enabling behavioural change while ensuring timely access to knowledge and resources.
The platform, she noted, seeks to guide women entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey — from the moment an idea takes shape to the point where the business is ready for large-scale expansion. By integrating mentorship, policy support, and private-sector collaboration, WEP aims to build an ecosystem that is both inclusive and growth-oriented.
Recognizing Outstanding Innovators
At the summit, ten startups were recognised for their performance throughout the evaluation rounds. The winners included Able Credit, Aso AI, Power Lifeline, Veryfi Technologies, Project Drives, Prosigo Language, Videos HR, That Creating, Water Ultra AR, and Zico AR. Roy congratulated the founders, highlighting their innovation and resilience in a competitive selection process.
The recognition is expected to provide these startups with enhanced visibility and access to new growth opportunities within the AI sector.
India’s Moment in the Global AI Conversation
Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow at NITI Aayog, also shared her perspective at the sidelines of the India AI Impact Expo 2026. She described the summit as a timely initiative focused on translating artificial intelligence into meaningful, large-scale impact.
Ghosh noted that India stands at a pivotal moment in shaping the global AI narrative. With a strong talent base, expanding digital infrastructure, and supportive policy frameworks, the country has the potential to contribute significantly to responsible and scalable AI solutions worldwide.
As discussions concluded, the overall sentiment at the summit reflected optimism and ambition. With targeted support for women entrepreneurs and a commitment to transparent, ecosystem-driven growth, India’s AI journey appears poised for its next phase of expansion on the global stage.