David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at Downing Street in London Photo credit: AP
The UK’s focus at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Monday (February 16, 2026) will be on how artificial intelligence can supercharge growth, unlock new jobs, improve public services and deliver benefits to people around the world, the British government said.
The UK delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and AI Minister Kanishka Narayan, is keen to highlight how AI is improving everyday life in every corner of the world and how AI can be an engine of innovation, helping doctors make faster diagnoses, teachers personalize learning, councils deliver services in minutes and businesses create the next generation of good jobs.
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“This summit is an important milestone in determining how we can work with our international partners to unlock the full benefits and potential of AI, while baking in robust and affordable security standards that protect us all,” Mr. Lamy said in a pre-summit statement.
India and Britain are “natural technology partners” as software giants such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Wipro expand their operations across the UK, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has said.
‘Defining the technology of our generation: UK AI minister
“AI is the defining technology of our generation, and we are determined to make it available to everyone,” said Mr. Narayan said.
“It can reduce waiting times, transform public services, create new jobs and give hard-working communities a fresh start – and that’s exactly the message we’re bringing to the summit. It’s central to our plans to deliver national recovery, but its benefits cannot and should not be reserved for the few,” he said.
The AI minister said the UK was “leading from the front, driving a global vision for AI that will help people everywhere learn more, earn more and shape the future on their terms”.
“We’re completely together in making sure that the people of Britain and the people of India don’t just see AI being built by others, but build AI and directly benefit from AI,” he said.
Besides Delhi, Mr Narayan will also visit Bangalore to explore how India and the UK are working together to reap the benefits of advancing technology.
The two countries are investing tens of millions in cutting-edge research – from better batteries and next-generation telecoms for rural communities, to genetic medicine that can cure rare diseases, DSIT said.
India is a very important market for British businesses in general, with UK firms generating more than £47.5 billion in revenue from their business in India.
During this week’s AI Impact Summit, the UK will announce new support for the African Language Hub, which will enable AI to work in 40 African languages with the aim of making the technology more inclusive and accessible to millions.
It is one of three new initiatives announced as part of the £100 million-plus AI for Development (AI4D) programme, designed to ensure that developing countries can fully benefit from the AI revolution.
The Asia AI4D Observatory supports responsible AI innovation and governance across South and Southeast Asia, and the AI4D Compute Hub at the University of Cape Town provides African innovators with the computing power they need to turn ideas into impact.
Described as the first international artificial intelligence gathering to be held in the Global South, the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi is anchored around the three principles of people, planet and progress as India’s approach to collaboration in the field.
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Published – February 16, 2026 07:13 am IST
