Ministers promote AI for jobs, public services and global development in India
The UK will promote artificial intelligence as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation and public service reform at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, as ministers seek to strengthen international cooperation on emerging technologies.
The delegation is led by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and AI Minister Kanishka Narayan, who will take part in discussions focused on expanding AI’s practical benefits for citizens worldwide.
The summit builds on previous global AI gatherings in Bletchley, Seoul and Paris. Talks in India centre on how AI can enhance everyday services, stimulate economic activity and contribute to sustainability goals. UK ministers will highlight the role of AI in accelerating medical diagnosis, supporting personalised education, streamlining council services and fostering new employment opportunities.
Since summer 2024, the government states that more than £100 billion in private investment has been attracted into the UK’s AI sector. Ministers describe this as evidence of continued international confidence in Britain’s technology ecosystem and policy framework.
At the summit, the Deputy Prime Minister is expected to announce new UK support for the Masakhane African Languages Hub. The initiative aims to enable AI systems to operate in 40 African languages, increasing accessibility for millions of users. The hub forms part of the £58 million AI for Development (AI4D) programme, launched alongside international partners at the AI Safety Summit in 2023.
Two additional AI4D initiatives will be advanced. The Asian AI4D Observatory will support responsible AI innovation and governance across South and Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, an AI4D Compute Hub at the University of Cape Town will provide African innovators with access to computing infrastructure designed to support AI development.
Ahead of the summit, Minister Narayan is travelling across India to observe bilateral collaboration in science and technology, including visits to the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi and Bengaluru.
The UK government describes India as a key strategic partner in technology and innovation. Indian firms, including Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro, continue to expand their operations in the UK. During a visit to Mumbai in October, Indian businesses committed a combined £1.3 billion in investment into the UK economy.
Official figures also indicate that UK companies generate more than £47.5 billion in revenue from business operations in India.
The summit discussions will address inclusive AI, global language accessibility and responsible governance frameworks. Ministers will argue that coordinated international action is necessary to ensure AI supports economic renewal while embedding safety and fairness standards.
The UK’s participation reflects its broader objective of positioning itself as a global leader in AI development, regulation and international collaboration.