New Delhi – India is making big steps in the world of smart computer technology, often called AI. This week, the country is hosting a major event called the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. At the same time, famous businessman Bill Gates visited Andhra Pradesh to talk about using AI for better health, farming, and government work. These events show how India is growing fast in AI, with millions of people using tools like ChatGPT and plans for a huge AI center in Visakhapatnam. But there are worries too, like jobs being lost and some old issues about Gates. Let’s look at all this in detail.
The summit started on February 16, 2026, and will go on until February 20. It is held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened it, saying it shows India’s quick progress in science and tech. He shared on social media that the goal is to use AI for everyone’s good, like welfare and happiness for all. More than 250,000 people are expected to come, including leaders from 20 countries and experts from big companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. There are over 500 talks on how AI can help in health, schools, farming, and running the government better. This is the first big AI meeting in a developing country, making India a key player in global talks about this tech.
Meanwhile, Bill Gates, who started Microsoft and now runs a big charity foundation, went to Andhra Pradesh on the same day. He met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the state office in Amaravati. They talked about using AI to improve health services, help farmers, and make government decisions faster with real-time data. Gates praised Andhra’s plans for digital growth, calling it a good example for others. This visit is part of Gates’ bigger trip to India, linking with the summit in Delhi.
These two events highlight India’s rise in AI. From having 100 million people using ChatGPT every week to building a $175 billion AI data city, the country is pushing hard. But some people are concerned about jobs disappearing and past problems linked to Gates.
The India AI Impact Summit: What It’s All About
The summit is themed “Shaping AI for Humanity, Inclusive Growth, and a Sustainable Future.” It brings together government leaders, tech bosses, startups, and researchers from around the world. India wants to lead in making AI rules that help everyone, especially poorer countries. The event has 300+ stalls from India and 30 other nations, spread over 10 themed areas. There are talks on using AI for economic growth, sharing resources fairly, and keeping it safe.
One key part is the India AI Mission, where the government is spending over Rs 10,000 crore to build AI tools. They have added 38,000 powerful computers for shared use and are making 12 home-grown AI models. Over 30 AI apps made for India have been approved. World Bank is also involved, focusing on small AI tools that work on simple devices without much internet.
Big names like Sam Altman from OpenAI and Sundar Pichai from Google are there. Altman said India has 100 million weekly ChatGPT users, second only to the US. He noted many Indian students and businesses use it a lot. The summit aims to create a plan for global AI rules that include everyone.
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The goal is clear: AI should be used for shaping humanity, inclusive growth and a sustainable future.” PM Modi added that it shows the power of India’s young people. The event is split into pillars like people, planet, and progress, with groups working on AI for growth, safety, and skills.
Bill Gates’ Visit to Andhra Pradesh: Focus on Local Growth
Bill Gates arrived in Vijayawada on February 16, 2026, and was welcomed by state leaders like Minister Nara Lokesh. He visited the Real Time Governance Center, where they showed how data and AI help in disasters, welfare, and services. Gates and Naidu discussed deeper ties in health, farming, education, and tech-based ruling.
Gates has visited Andhra before, and this trip builds on old partnerships. Naidu invited him to strengthen work with the Gates Foundation. Gates said Andhra’s digital ideas are impressive and can help people at the ground level.
But the visit got some criticism. Some people brought up Gates’ old links to Jeffrey Epstein, a criminal, and claims of bad behavior at work. Gates has called his time with Epstein a big mistake. Others said he treats India like a testing ground. Still, the talks focused on positive things like digital health records and AI for farmers.
India’s AI Boom: From ChatGPT to Data Cities
India is seeing a huge rise in AI use. OpenAI’s Sam Altman said there are 100 million weekly ChatGPT users here, mostly students and small businesses. This makes India the second biggest market after the US.
In Visakhapatnam, also called Vizag, plans are on for a massive AI data city. It will cover a 100 km area and attract $175 billion in money. Companies like Reliance, Brookfield, and Digital Realty are putting in $11 billion for a big data center. The city will have undersea cables to Singapore and draw firms making servers and cooling systems. Andhra’s IT Minister Nara Lokesh said it’s part of closing the AI gap with the US and China.
Bill Gates’ Visit to Andhra Pradesh: Focus on Local Growth
Bill Gates arrived in Vijayawada on February 16, 2026, and was welcomed by state leaders like Minister Nara Lokesh. He visited the Real Time Governance Center, where they showed how data and AI help in disasters, welfare, and services. Gates and Naidu discussed deeper ties in health, farming, education, and tech-based ruling.
Gates has visited Andhra before, and this trip builds on old partnerships. Naidu invited him to strengthen work with the Gates Foundation. Gates said Andhra’s digital ideas are impressive and can help people at the ground level.
But the visit got some criticism. Some people brought up Gates’ old links to Jeffrey Epstein, a criminal, and claims of bad behavior at work. Gates has called his time with Epstein a big mistake. Others said he treats India like a testing ground. Still, the talks focused on positive things like digital health records and AI for farmers.
India’s AI Boom: From ChatGPT to Data Cities
India is seeing a huge rise in AI use. OpenAI’s Sam Altman said there are 100 million weekly ChatGPT users here, mostly students and small businesses. This makes India the second biggest market after the US.
In Visakhapatnam, also called Vizag, plans are on for a massive AI data city. It will cover a 100 km area and attract $175 billion in money. Companies like Reliance, Brookfield, and Digital Realty are putting in $11 billion for a big data center. The city will have undersea cables to Singapore and draw firms making servers and cooling systems. Andhra’s IT Minister Nara Lokesh said it’s part of closing the AI gap with the US and China.
This fits India’s bigger plan. Big firms like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are investing $68 billion in AI and cloud till 2030. The summit is helping pull more money, with deals like Blackstone backing an Indian AI startup with $600 million.
AI in Key Areas: Health, Farming, and Government
AI is changing health in India. Tools help doctors find diseases faster, like in scans or predicting outbreaks. In Andhra, Gates and Naidu talked about digital health records and med-tech changes. Small AI apps run on phones to help in villages with little net.
In farming, AI gives advice on crops, weather, and pests. Farmers use apps for better yields. In Andhra, they plan AI for grassroots help.
For government, real-time data helps in quick decisions, like during floods or giving aid. Andhra’s system is a model.
Worries About AI: Jobs and Other Issues
Not everything is good. Many fear AI will take jobs, especially in IT and call centers. A study says AI changes roles but not mass losses yet. Vineet Nayar, ex-CEO of HCL, warned at the summit that companies care more about profits than jobs. India’s big service sector could be hit hard.
Gates’ past, like antitrust cases at Microsoft and Epstein ties, adds to doubts. He has said the Epstein meetings were foolish.
The summit talks about safe AI to handle these risks.
Looking Ahead: India’s AI Future
India wants to be a top AI nation. The summit and Gates’ visit are steps toward that. With investments and global ties, the country can use AI for good. But it must handle job worries and keep things fair.
As PM Modi said, “AI should be for welfare for all, happiness for all.” Gates added that Andhra’s vision can impact many lives.
FAQs
What is the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
This is a five-day event in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, 2026. It focuses on using AI for good in areas like health, education, farming, and government. Over 250,000 people are expected, with talks from world leaders and tech experts. It’s the first such summit in a developing country, aiming to make global AI rules that include everyone.
Why did Bill Gates visit Andhra Pradesh?
Gates met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to discuss using AI in health, farming, and quick government work. He praised the state’s digital plans and visited their real-time data center. This builds on old ties between Gates Foundation and Andhra for better services.
How many people in India use ChatGPT?
About 100 million people use ChatGPT every week in India. This makes it the second biggest market after the US. Many are students, developers, and small businesses, as said by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
What is the AI data city in Visakhapatnam?
It’s a big plan for a data center hub covering 100 km around Vizag. It could get $175 billion in investments, including $11 billion from Reliance and others. The goal is to make India strong in AI by attracting tech firms and building infrastructure like undersea cables.
Are there worries about jobs because of AI in India?
Yes, some fear AI will replace jobs in IT, call centers, and other areas. But studies show it’s more about changing roles and improving work. Experts like Vineet Nayar say companies focus on profits, so government needs plans for new skills and jobs.
What are some past issues with Bill Gates?
Gates has faced criticism for his company’s old fights with laws on fair business, like antitrust cases. He also met Jeffrey Epstein, which he calls a big mistake. Some say he was tough at work. But he has done much good through his foundation in health and poverty.