India AI Impact Summit 2026 – AI for Social Good: Impact That Works

Conference
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Date et heure:
Location:
L2, Audi 2, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

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Photo credit: Neeraz Chaturvedi, Shutterstock.com

The transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping societies worldwide. As a fast-improving, general-purpose technology accessible to anyone with a smartphone, AI is already having profound effects on how we live, work, and interact. Yet this rapid adoption raises essential questions about effectiveness, transparency, and fairness when AI tools are designed to serve underserved populations.

AI for Social Good: Impact That Works is a day-long research and policy seminar on February 17 in New Delhi to examine these questions and chart a path toward an AI ecosystem that maximizes social good. The seminar is an official event of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, organized by the Government of India.

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is the first-ever international AI summit to take place in the Global South—and the first to explicitly focus on impact. 

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About the seminar

AI for Social Good: Impact That Works places evidence and rigorous evaluations at the heart of the conversations on AI innovations.

Participants will learn about: 

  • India's vision for catalyzing AI to advance social welfare and making it work for all.
  • The latest evidence from evaluations by J-PAL affiliated researchers of AI innovations across education, health, labor, climate, and more by leading economists from around the world
  • What must change for AI applications to deliver sustained impact at scale in the real world.
  • The most promising pathways through which AI can boost social good. 

Speakers

The seminar brings together the essential voices spanning the AI ecosystem. We have: 

  • Senior government officials leading India's national AI strategy
  • Researchers part of J-PAL’s global network
  • Leaders from global technology companies and funders of AI for social good programs
  • Heads of NGOs leveraging AI in their programs

What is on the agenda

This seminar brings together senior government officials leading India's national AI strategy, researchers evaluating cutting-edge AI applications, and leaders from global tech companies, nonprofits, and key funders. Together, they'll explore promising uses of AI across education, health, governance, and labor, focusing on what works and what must change for AI to deliver sustained impact at scale.
 

 

Time                                                   

Sessions and speakers
9:30 - 9:35amWelcome

9:35 –10:20am

 

From Algorithms to Outcomes: Building AI that Works for People
 

  • Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
  • Michael Kremer, J-PAL affiliate; University Professor in Economics and the College and the Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago
  • Iqbal Dhaliwal, Global Executive Director, J-PAL; MIT
10:20 - 10:50am
 

AI in Health: Saving Lives at Scale

Diagnosing Silent Heart Attacks with AI in Tamil Nadu

  • A research presentation by Ziad Obermeyer, University of California, Berkeley
     
10:50 - 11:20am
 

Panel discussion featuring: 

  • Shahed Alam, Founder and CEO, Noora Health
  • Shri P. Senthil Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu
  • Rob Sherman, Vice President, Policy & Deputy Chief Privacy Officer, Meta
  • Aimee Barnes, Moderator | Policy Manager - Health, J-PAL
11:20 - 11:40amBreak
11:40 - 12:10pm
 

AI in Governance: Revolutionizing Government Efficiency

Machine Learning to Improve Targeting Public Service Delivery in Togo

  • A research presentation by Dean Karlan, J-PAL affiliate, Frederic Esser Nemmers Distinguished Professor of Economics and Finance, Northwestern University; Former Chief Economist, USAID
12:10 - 12:40pm
 

Panel discussion featuring: 

12:40 - 1:45pmLunch
1:45 - 2:15pm
 

AI in Climate and Agriculture: Building Resilient Communities

Using AI to Reduce Flood Risk for Vulnerable Households in Bihar

2:15 - 2:45pm
 

Panel discussion featuring: 

2:45 - 2:55pm
 

AI Evidence Playbook Launch: A Practical Guide for Effective Deployment of AI for Social Good

Announcing the AI Evidence Playbook, a guide for policymakers considering AI-based programs:

2:55 - 3:25pm
 

AI Vishwaguru: Catalyzing Learning and Impact 

A fire-side chat between:

3:25 - 3:40pmBreak
3:40 - 4:10pm
 

AI in Work: Humans, AI, or Both?

Generative AI to Improve Teacher Hiring in Ghana

  • A research presentation by David Yanagizawa-Drott, J-PAL affiliate; Professor of Development and Emerging Markets, University of Zurich

4:10 - 4:40pm

 

Panel discussion on the role of AI in the way we work, featuring:

4:40 - 5:00pm

 

AI in Education: Customizing Learning for All 

Closing the Learning Gap in Brazil with AI

5:00 - 5:40pm
 

Panel discussion featuring: 

5:40–5:50pm

Evaluating AI for Impact: From Idea to Execution

Shobhini Mukerji, Executive Director, J-PAL South Asia

Participation

Participation is by registration only. Registration will be open for only a limited time. Early registration is strongly encouraged as seating is limited.

Register Now

Follow the conversation online: #RoadToImpact #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026 

Learn more about J-PAL’s Project AI Evidence