Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, said India is headed for an “extraordinary trajectory” in artificial intelligence. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, he called AI the biggest technological shift of our time and said it will help solve major global challenges.
He pointed out that AI can make diseases easier to treat, improve education access, and offer solutions that help people worldwide. Noting India’s strong use of digital technology, Pichai said the country has a special chance to “leapfrog age-old gaps” with AI.
Pichai shared several major initiatives showing Google’s long-term commitment to India. One highlight is the new Google AI Professional Certificate program, available in English and Hindi, with more Indian languages coming soon. Google is also teaming up with Wadhwani AI to help students and early-career professionals gain practical AI skills.
Pichai also announced the India-America Connect Initiative, which will create new undersea cable routes to improve AI connectivity between India, the US, and parts of the southern hemisphere. This builds on the earlier plan for a $15-billion AI hub in Visakhapatnam to boost India’s AI infrastructure.
Google Cloud will also offer secure infrastructure for a digital platform serving over 20 million public servants in 800 districts, supporting 18 Indian languages. This project, developed with Karma Yogi Bharat, aims to build a civil service ready for the future.
Research and innovation were also highlighted. Google.org will start a $30-million AI for Science Impact Challenge to back breakthrough AI research. Partnerships with Atal Tinkering Labs will bring generative AI tools to 10,000 schools, and Google DeepMind will work with the Indian government to expand access to advanced AI technologies.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, opened by Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam, has the theme “सर्वजन हिताय, सर्वजन सुखाय” meaning welfare and happiness for all. The event gathers over 500 global AI leaders, more than 20 heads of state, and many ministers and industry executives.
At the summit, Prime Minister Modi met with Pichai to talk about how Google can collaborate with India’s talented students and professionals in AI.
With strong digital infrastructure, growing talent, and global partnerships, India appears ready to position itself as a leading force in the global AI revolution.
