Report On

AI Impact Summit

16^th & 20^th February, 2026
 Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

Organized by: Maharishi School of Engineering & Technology, MUIT Noida in association with IQAC

 

Introduction

On 16 February 2026, faculty members and students of MSoET participated in the prestigious AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam. The summit served as a dynamic platform that brought together eminent policymakers, industry leaders, cybersecurity experts, and AI researchers to deliberate on the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence.

The discussions highlighted both the opportunities and challenges associated with AI, with a special focus on critical domains such as national security, digital public infrastructure, governance, regulatory compliance, and the building of public trust. The event provided valuable insights into how AI is shaping the future while emphasizing the need for responsible and ethical innovation.

Session Descriptions and Key Takeaways

1. Defence Perspective in Artificial Intelligence

This session highlighted AI as a strategic enabler in modern defence. It enhances decision-making and situational awareness and acts as a force multiplier through the rapid analysis of large-scale sensor data. The discussion emphasized the use of AI in ISR systems, autonomous platforms, and cybersecurity for threat detection.

The importance of developing robust and reliable AI models, along with maintaining Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) control for ethical and accountable operations, was strongly emphasized. The session also underscored India’s focus on self-reliance in defence AI, with priorities including indigenous development, data security, and the creation of strong innovation ecosystems.

2. Sovereign AI for National Security

This session emphasized the importance of developing sovereign AI capabilities to ensure national security and strategic independence. The discussion highlighted that while building indigenous AI systems may take time, a balanced and practical approach is required. In the interim, global solutions may be responsibly utilized while domestic capabilities are gradually strengthened.

One of the most impactful moments in this session occurred when a panelist explained that although developing indigenous AI systems will take time, India must continue building its own capabilities while pragmatically using available global technologies in the short term. The analogy comparing AI development with defense infrastructure was particularly insightful, as it illustrated the importance of long-term self-reliance combined with short-term practicality. From a cybersecurity perspective, this session reinforced the idea that protecting national digital sovereignty is a critical responsibility.

3. AI–DPI Nexus: The Future of Public Interest Technology

This session introduced the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The panel highlighted that India possesses vast structured public datasets that can significantly accelerate AI innovation. At the same time, governance models related to API access, data sharing, and monetization determine how securely and effectively this data is utilized.

4. The Future of Frontier AI and Cybersecurity

This panel included senior professionals from industry and policy institutions, and the discussion was both technically stimulating and forward-looking. The session explored how frontier AI models introduce entirely new categories of cyber risk.

Topics such as AI-driven threat models, compliance mechanisms, structured evaluation frameworks, and the importance of red-teaming were discussed in depth.

5. Building Trust: Digital Infrastructure Fit for the AI Era

This session focused on the importance of public trust in AI systems. It emphasized that technical security alone is not sufficient; transparent governance, stakeholder involvement, and institutional accountability are equally important.

A key takeaway was that involving stakeholders and users in AI implementation naturally strengthens trust and accountability. Transparency, inclusion, and governance frameworks were presented as essential pillars for sustainable AI deployment.

6. From Guidelines to Ground: Institutional AI Safety

The final session examined how AI safety principles must move beyond theoretical guidelines to enforceable institutional mechanisms. The panel shared cross-country examples and stressed the importance of compliance frameworks, institutional capacity, and user awareness. Another important point discussed was the need to empower users and build awareness so that AI systems are not only secure but also responsibly used