VINOD BHAT
Delhi, JAN 13:
The 38th episode of Digital India Ask Our Experts, held on January 9, 2026, spotlighted the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026, positioning it as a landmark global event that will shape the future of responsible and inclusive Artificial Intelligence.
Officials from IndiaAI and the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), viz. Shikha Dahiya, Joint Director- Emerging Technology, MeitY; Kartik Shobhan Suri, General Manager- Future Skills, IndiaAI; Swadeep Singh, General Manager- Data Science, IndiaAI; and Anshul Singhal, General Manager- Startups, IndiaAI, responded directly to citizens, startups, students and professionals, answering key questions on India’s AI roadmap.
During the episode, experts explained how the Summit is built around the three guiding pillars or ‘Sutras’ of People, Planet and Progress, with focused working groups or ‘Chakras’. The discussions and outcomes from these groups are expected to influence AI policy, skilling strategies and implementation across India and the Global South.
The episode also highlighted opportunities for youth, startups, women innovators and learners from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, including AI & Data Labs, global challenges, pitch fests and the YUVAI Global Youth Challenge. Viewers were informed about the India AI Impact Expo 2026, to be held at Bharat Mandapam from February 16–20, which will demonstrate how AI solutions are transforming sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture and governance.
Citizens raised questions on AI infrastructure, open data access, healthcare datasets, startup participation, governance, inclusion of non-tech users, and online participation. Experts assured that IndiaAI is working towards open, secure and inclusive platforms that enable participation from individuals, small teams and public sector organisations.
The episode concluded with a call for citizens to take their first step by registering, participating and contributing to become active partners in India’s growing AI ecosystem on the Summit’s website https://impact.indiaai.gov.in/.
Digital India – Ask Our Experts continues to enable direct dialogue between citizens and domain experts, encouraging informed participation and responsible use of digital technologies. The live session witnessed active engagement from viewers across the country, who appreciated the clear and accessible explanations shared by the experts. The full recording of Episode 38 is available at: https://youtube.com/live/qV5BZ7O5AAI?feature=share.
Digital India – Ask Our Experts is a flagship interactive initiative under the Digital India programme, connecting citizens with government specialists through live discussions to help them understand and use digital public services with ease and confidence. The series is streamed live on the Digital India YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalIndiaofficial. For updates on upcoming episodes and Digital India initiatives, visit www.digitalindia.gov.in and www.negd.gov.in.
