Beyond the IT Act: Why the 2026 Global India AI Summit is a Legal Milestone
India is set to host the Global India-AI Impact Summit 2026, a pivotal event in its ambition to establish itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence. Organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), this summit aims to advance the India AI Mission, which was initiated in March 2024 with a substantial budget of Rs 10,372 crore. This mission is focused on building a self-reliant AI ecosystem that benefits all citizens, not just major technology firms.
The summit is scheduled to take place from February 16 to 20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and will center on the legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding AI, IT, cybersecurity, and digital law. With MeitY drafting the country’s technology laws, this event is positioned as the primary forum for discussing India’s regulatory approach to AI.
Key Highlights of the Summit
A major focus will be the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. Within the summit’s “Democratising AI Resources” Chakra, experts will explore how AI models manage data, ensuring that innovation respects privacy and complies with the law. Under the “Safe and Trusted AI” theme, the event will address the IT Rules and Intermediary Liability, particularly the legal obligations of platforms to promptly remove deep fakes and AI-generated misinformation. Additionally, sessions on Cyber Security Frameworks will examine the darker aspects of AI, such as its use in cybercrime and how legal professionals can ensure safety in the digital age.
The Evolution of Indian Law
To understand the regulatory focus of the 2026 Summit, one must examine the evolution of Indian law from basic e-commerce regulations to a sophisticated digital constitution. The journey began with the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, which aimed to provide legal recognition for electronic signatures and digital contracts, fostering the growth of e-commerce.
However, as social media and mobile technology emerged, it became clear that the original law was inadequate. The 2008 Amendment introduced crucial cybersecurity measures, defining new crimes such as identity theft and phishing, while also granting the government powers to monitor or block digital content for national security.
Since then, the Indian legal framework has transitioned from a crime-focused model to a more rights-based and compliance-driven regime. This shift was solidified in 2017 when the Supreme Court ruled in the Putta Swamy case that privacy is a fundamental right, prompting the introduction of the DPDP Act, which emphasizes user consent and imposes heavy penalties for data breaches.
Challenges and Future Directions
The legal landscape continues to shift to meet the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. The government is moving toward the Digital India Act (DIA), which is expected to replace the outdated IT Act of 2000 entirely. This new framework will focus on modern threats such as deep fakes and algorithmic bias, ensuring that as India aspires to be a global tech leader, its laws are robust enough to address the complexities of AI.
Several landmark judgments have acted as catalysts for this ongoing transformation. Cases such as Shreya Singhal v Union of India (2015) and Anvar PV v PK Basheer (2014) have highlighted the need for precise digital laws and the treatment of virtual evidence in courts, respectively. The Amar Jain case emphasized that meaningful digital access is a part of the right to life, reinforcing the need for inclusive technology.
The Role of the Summit
At the summit, a diverse group of leaders, including global figures from major tech companies and Indian policymakers, will converge to discuss the transition from a commerce-focused past to a rights-based future. The summit serves as the official platform to operationalize this shift, ensuring that while technology evolves, legal protections for individuals remain paramount.
In conclusion, the 2026 Global India AI Summit is not merely an event; it represents a significant step towards establishing a comprehensive and forward-thinking legal framework for AI in India, balancing innovation with protection for individual rights.
