AI Impact Summit in Delhi: What to know — dates, venue, security, traffic and global buzz

NEW DELHI: Delhi is gearing up to host the AI Impact Summit 2026, one of the largest global gatherings on artificial intelligence, bringing world leaders, top tech CEOs and thousands of delegates to the city amid unprecedented security and logistical arrangements.10,000+ cops, tight security at Bharat MandapamMore than 10,000 Delhi Police personnel will be deployed in and around Bharat Mandapam as the capital hosts the AI Impact Summit 2026 from February 16 to 20, as per news agency PTI. The force includes district police, traffic cops, specialised units and reserve forces, with deployment already underway.Emmanuel Macron, Sam Altman, Sundar Pichai on guest listThe summit will see an extraordinary lineup of global leaders and tech chiefs, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, alongside leaders from Europe and Asia.1.5 lakh registrations, 10,000 international delegatesWith 1.5 lakh registrations, including 10,000 foreign delegates from over 30 countries, the event is among the largest international gatherings Delhi has hosted in recent years.Traffic curbs, diversions in Central DelhiNearly 5,000 traffic police personnel will manage traffic and diversions, especially during VVIP movements. The Delhi Traffic Police will issue real-time advisories through social media during the summit days.

Hotels sold out, prices skyrocketLuxury hotels including Taj, Oberoi, Leela, Maurya, Imperial and JW Marriott are fully booked. Suites are fetching Rs 11–30 lakh per night, while regular rooms for February 19–20 are touching Rs 5.5 lakh per night.Board exams clash adds to city strainThe summit coincides with Class XII board exams, beginning February 17. Authorities are coordinating with exam centres near the venue to minimise disruption.QR passes, AI summit cell, emergency prepEntry to the venue will be via QR-code passes only. A dedicated AI Impact Summit Cell has been set up for coordination, intelligence sharing and real-time response. Ambulances will remain on standby along VVIP routes.Green, paperless, divyang-friendly eventThe IT Ministry says the summit will be plastic-free and paperless, with digital registration, eco-friendly signage, food-waste composting, NGO food distribution, and accessibility support.