Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, hosts India AI Convergence 2026, an official run-up event for the India AI Impact Summit 2026

Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, India’s First AI-Augmented Multidisciplinary University, successfully hosted India AI Convergence 2026, an official run-up event for India AI Impact Summit 2026, hosted by India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The event was a part of the Union government’s upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026, which will be held in New Delhi from 16th to 20th February, 2026. The event had brought together 50+ AI experts, Researchers, Healthcare experts, startup leaders, CEOs, Founders, Academicians, government agency experts, and innovators from 5 countries on one stage to discuss the challenges & opportunities for India in the evolving field like AI, Quantum computing, and to bridge national AI policy with actionable impact on people, planet, and progress.

The summit featured participation and collaboration from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India; Government of Uttar Pradesh; MeitY Startup Hub; IndiaAI; and Digital India, which showcased strong institutional and policy backing.

A key highlight of the summit was the Strategic Policy Dialogue on Shaping India’s AI and Quantum Future: From Policy to Platforms, which examined the operationalization of India’s AI and Quantum strategies across governance, defense, industry, start-ups, and international cooperation. The dialogue positioned Uttar Pradesh as a critical execution partner in India’s AI and Quantum journey ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Speaking of Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, also hosted India’s First AI Healthcare Hackathon, as the state has been assigned the national theme of 'Health & AI' by the Union Government, where 1500 teams comprised of 5000 youth participated from all over the country. The AI Healthcare Hackathon saw tech-oriented AI solutions that are being worked upon by young technocrats. The Government agencies & Industries had provided more than 100 problem statements in the field of healthcare for which AI Augmented results have been discussed during the AI Healthcare Hackathon.

During the event, Honorable Chancellor, Chandigarh University, & MP, Rajya Sabha, Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu Ji, briefed everyone about the India AI Convergence 2026 & said, ‘The Summit is being hosted to provide a platform to Young Innovators to meet Global AI Industry Experts who would apprise them about the technology advancements and applications of AI and Quantum Computing. In addition, the AI Convergence Summit also helps the common man to understand the Government Policies and Initiatives that are being taken with the help of AI to maximize the benefits of the welfare schemes.’ Along with this, he said, ‘The event aimed to bridge India’s AI policy framework with real-world deployment, fostering collaboration across government, academia, industry, and the start-up ecosystem.’

The event witnessed the launch of ‘Quantum for Bharat” a National Initiative’ by Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu Ji along with Global AI Experts, which aimed to build capacity in terms of Building Quantum Computing Infrastructure, providing training & upskilling programs to build next-gen talent pool in the field of AI & Quantum Computing and also opening gateway for young innovators to foster research and entrepreneurship in the emerging fields of AI.

Along with the launch of ‘Quantum for Bharat’, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, also launched its “AI for ALL” mission, a national initiative aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s India AI Mission, aimed at building AI capacity among the youth of Uttar Pradesh & increase AI Literacy amongst the citizens of the nation across all fields. The AI for All mission of Chandigarh University UP will also work on the propagation of specialized training programs and workshops across India so that the youth of the nation could be embarked with the skills of tomorrow.

Managing Director of Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Jai Inder Singh Sandhu, said during the event, “Through Quantum for Bharat Mission, Chandigarh University UP aims to make India a Global hub for Quantum Computing by nurturing talent right from school level to university level. In addition, it will also foster the spirit of start-ups and research amongst the Indian youth in the emerging fields of AI and Quantum Computing.”

Further, the event witnessed a series of panel discussions on topics including Global AI Framework: Setting the Blueprint for India's AI Future (AI for Good and AI for All), Quantum and AI Fronts: Building Uttar Pradesh's DeepTech Ecosystem, AI by HER - Shaping India's AI Future Through Women's Leadership, Responsible AI at Scale: Democratizing AI Resources the Indian Way, AI Funding Spectrum: Investment Strategies for Scaling AI Startups, & Health in Pixels: Building AI Healthcare Ecosystem for Bharat 2026. Where our chief guest, Mr. Nivedan Rathi, Founder, Future and AI, said, ‘India’s vision of emerging as a global AI hub by 2047 marks a decisive shift from being a consumer nation to becoming a producer of knowledge, research, and thought leadership. He said, ‘India’s AI Mission reflects the leadership’s intent to move beyond traditional strengths in IT services and position the country as a creator of advanced technologies and original research. While appreciating Chandigarh University, UP, he said, ‘the institution’s deep commitment to AI and its focus on the National Quantum Mission demonstrate how universities can allow India to leapfrog decades in technological progress. Emphasizing research as the foundation of innovation and global leadership, Mr. Rathi said institutions like Chandigarh University play a critical role in nurturing talent, fostering academia & industry collaboration, and creating the ecosystem required for India to harness its vast untapped potential and emerge as a leading producer in AI and quantum technologies.’

Honorable Chancellor, Chandigarh University, & MP, Rajya Sabha, concluded the event & said ‘it was a proud moment for Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, to host India AI Convergence, an official run up event for India AI Impact Summit 2026, marking an important milestone aligned with the university’s vision & he also thanked Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for providing a future-ready roadmap for India 11 years ago. He highlighted that India is among the world’s leading nations in skill building and ranks first globally in women’s skill participation, reflecting the strength of Indian women. He also noted that AI-driven healthcare is a key focus area in Uttar Pradesh & welcomed the state government’s partnership with Chandigarh University UP to drive AI-led healthcare initiatives, which also emphasize the broader role of universities as thought leaders.

He concluded by reaffirming the university’s commitment to nation-building, positioning Uttar Pradesh as a global leader, and encouraged students to treat the event as a learning opportunity and roadmap for the future.’