Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, accompanied by global leaders including President of France H.E. Mr Emmanuel Macron, and Secretary-General of the United Nations H.E. Mr António Guterres toured the Gyan Bharatam zone at the Bharat Pavilion on 20 February during the AI Impact Summit in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, participated in the Summit and presented a comprehensive vision of how technology can strengthen the preservation, accessibility, and dissemination of India’s ancient knowledge systems.
Gyan Bharatam was a major highlight of the Ministry of Culture’s participation at the summit. It aims to preserve, digitise and disseminate India’s vast manuscript heritage through AI integration. Secretary Ministry of Culture, Shri Vivek Aggarwal, apprised the distinguished dignitaries of the objectives of the Gyan Bharatam and outlined the Ministry of Culture’s sustained initiatives aimed at preserving, digitising, and disseminating India’s extensive manuscript heritage through the integration of traditional knowledge systems with emerging technologies for the benefit of future generations.
The Ministry of Culture held several enriching sessions on the integration of AI in culturally relevant sectors. Secretary, Culture, Shri Aggarwal, moderated a session on ‘Gyan Bharatam: Where Tradition Meets Technology' and delivered the keynote address ‘The Creative Canvas of AI: India’s Creator Revolution’, an inspiring vision for India’s AI-driven creator economy
Sangeet Natak Akademi, a body under the Ministry, presented several breathtaking cultural performances: ‘Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam’ - a vibrant celebration of India’s folk and tribal heritage; ‘Nṛtta Melakam’ - a confluence of rhythm and universal prayer; and ‘Bharata–Smriti’ - the soul of India in movement and memory at the AI summit.
The AI Summit, with the theme ‘Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay’ (meaning welfare for all, happiness for all), witnessed the participation of delegations from 89 countries. Several distinguished international leaders underscored the global significance of the summit. Among the Heads of State present were President of the French Republic, H.E. Mr Emmanuel Macron; President of Brazil, H.E. Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; President of Switzerland, H.E. Mr Guy Parmelin; President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayaka; President of Serbia, H.E. Mr Aleksandar Vučić; and Alar Karis, President of Estonia.
The Summit was also attended by Heads of Government, including Prime Minister of Bhutan, H.E. Mr Tshering Tobgay; Prime Minister of Mauritius, H.E. Mr Navinchandra Ramgoolam; Prime Minister of Croatia, H.E. Mr Andrej Plenković; and Prime Minister of Finland, H.E. Mr Petteri Orpo.
Global technology leaders, including CEO, Google, Mr Sundar Pichai; CEO, OpenAI, Mr. Sam Altman; VC, Microsoft, Brad Smith; CEO, Anthropic, Mr Dario Amodei, participated in the AI India Impact Summit, among others.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded on 20 February 2026 with the New Delhi Declaration endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations. The Summit concluded with a shared commitment to collaborative action, capacity building, and continued dialogue between cultural institutions and technology stakeholders. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 positions India as a global leader in the application of AI and finding sustainable solutions in today’s world. The summit successfully reflected India’s resolve to harness digital innovation in advancing its cultural vision for a technologically empowered future.
