Research Symposium On AI & Its Impact

As part of the India-AI Impact Summit to be held between 19–20 February 2026, New Delhi, the Government of India—under the IndiaAI Mission, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology—will host a one-day “Research Symposium on AI and its Impact” on 18 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with IIIT-Hyderabad as the knowledge partner. The Symposium is conceived as an interdisciplinary forum that brings together leading researchers and practitioners from India, the Global South, and the wider international community to present frontier work on the impact of AI, exchange methods and evidence, and forge collaborations. The Symposium aligns with the Summit’s “Impact” theme, emphasizing inclusive, policy-relevant research across various domains.

OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED IMPACT

The Symposium aims to achieve three closely linked outcomes:

01

Showcase cutting-edge AI research in India and the Global South, complemented by select top tier international researchers.

02

Nurture domestic talent by providing high-visibility platform for Indian researchers.

03

Strengthen India's global thought leadership on responsible, inclusive, and impactful AI.

Symposium Structure

Plenary Sessions

Keynotes & dialogues with global leaders.

The plenary sessions will feature a combination of keynote addresses and structured research dialogues. Keynote presentations will be followed by a fireside conversation with the speakers. The research dialogue segment will begin with a moderated discussion, followed by lightning talks and an interactive audience Q&A, fostering focused exchange between researchers and participants.

Dr. Sara Hooker

Co-Founder, Adaption Labs

Dr. Pushmeet Kohli

VP of Science, Google DeepMind

Prof. Alison Noble

Professor of Engineering, University of Oxford

Prof. Dame Wendy Hall

Professor of Computer Science, University of Southampton

International Research Showcase

Short, focused presentations by global research leaders highlighting groundbreaking AI innovations. This track provides a platform for sharing cutting-edge methodologies, novel algorithms, and breakthrough applications from premier institutions worldwide.

Prof. Stuart J Russell

Professor, University of California, Berkeley

Prof. Vukosi Marivate

Professor of Computer Science, University of Pretoria

Prof. Somesh Jha

Professor of Computer Science, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Prof. Aditya Vashishtha

Asst Professor of Information Science, Cornell University

Global South Research & Posters Showcase

A vibrant showcase of research posters by students and collaborative teams from the Global South. This track celebrates emerging talent, fostering mentorship opportunities and highlighting innovative solutions to regional and global challenges.

SYMPOSIUM THEMES & SUB-THEMES

The Symposium will align with the broader thematic framework of the India-AI Impact Summit’s overarching vision and will curate conversations around its key priorities, ensuring coherence across sessions and submissions while leaving room for diverse and innovative contributions.

By integrating these themes into its structure, the Research Symposium will foster rich interdisciplinary dialogue, promote holistic approaches to AI research, and effectively translate high-level commitments into actionable research outcomes.