The India AI Impact Summit 2026 witnessed another dynamic day at Bharat Mandapam, with innovators, policymakers, students and industry leaders engaging in lively discussions and live demonstrations. The atmosphere reflected a clear shift—Artificial Intelligence is no longer confined to research labs but is steadily entering real-world systems across sectors.
Throughout the exhibition halls, startups and institutions showcased practical AI applications aligned with the Government’s focus on transforming emerging technologies into public solutions. The Summit evolved into a solutions-driven platform where ideas were not only presented but tested and discussed for real-life implementation in areas such as education, transport, governance and infrastructure.
AI-Powered Learning Support
At the education pavilion, visitors explored SATHEE (Self Assessment, Test and Help for Entrance Exams), an initiative by the Ministry of Education and IIT Kanpur launched in 2023. The free AI-enabled platform supports preparation for major competitive exams including JEE, NEET, CLAT, ICAR, CUET, SSC, RRB and IBPS.
SATHEE offers AI-based doubt resolution, personalized study plan generators, confusion detection tools and automated transcript summarization. The system allows students to create customized study schedules based on available hours and subjects, while extracting key formulas and summaries from lectures. Available in 13 Indian languages, the platform has shown encouraging results in select government schools, reporting significant increases in competitive exam qualifiers.
Smarter Surveillance with AI
In the security technology section, Gurugram-based firm iiris: Value Catalysts demonstrated how AI can enhance traditional surveillance systems. Instead of replacing existing hardware, the company integrates AI-driven software to enable intelligent monitoring.
AI-enabled systems can instantly filter video footage by time, clothing color or specific events, eliminating the need for lengthy manual reviews. Integrated alerts from cameras and motion sensors enable faster responses. The firm is currently working on major infrastructure projects, including security assessments for the Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir in Mathura.
AI Strengthening Railway Safety
Rail safety innovations also drew attention. RailLabs presented Arista, an autonomous AI-powered track inspection robot that uses ultrasonic detection, laser profiling and vision-based cameras to identify cracks and structural defects in railway tracks. The system improves inspection efficiency significantly compared to manual methods.
Another solution, ChakrVue, predicts wheel shelling and potential defects in train wheels to prevent derailments. Already operational in LHB and Tejas coaches across cities such as Mumbai, Agartala and Ranchi, the system focuses on early detection to strengthen preventive railway safety.
A Gradual but Meaningful Shift
As the day progressed, discussions across the Summit emphasized one common theme: AI is being layered into existing systems to enhance efficiency, safety and accessibility. From classrooms to transport corridors and infrastructure projects, intelligent systems are steadily becoming part of everyday governance and public service delivery.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 reflected not a sudden technological revolution, but a structured and practical integration of AI into India’s development journey—marking a steady transition from innovation to impact.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
