AI Mission 2.0 in pipeline, $200+ billion AI investment expected in 2 years: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said that India has emerged as the world’s third-largest ecosystem in Artificial Intelligence (AI), citing research from Stanford University. He added that India is currently hosting the world’s largest AI summit, reflecting the country’s growing role in the global AI landscape.

Speaking at the event, Vaishnaw said India is working on AI solutions built around its large population base through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The government is engaging in active dialogue with industry and academia to ensure responsible and meaningful use of AI technologies.

$200 billion investment expected; AI Mission 2.0 in pipeline

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He said India could witness investments of up to $200 billion in the AI stack over the next two to three years. The government is also preparing to launch AI Mission 2.0, which will focus on research and innovation.

Strong youth participation and skill development push

Vaishnaw noted that there has been a strong response from youth across states, with participation from students nationwide. More than 100 colleges are already running AI-focused programmes to promote skill development.

20,000 GPUs order planned to boost AI compute

To strengthen computing infrastructure, the government plans to place an order for 20,000 GPUs within the next week, with delivery expected within a month. The focus, he said, is on expanding AI compute access so it can serve India’s large population effectively.

Nvidia partnership and domestic AI software development

He added that Nvidia is working with several domestic companies to build AI infrastructure in the country. Efforts are also underway to develop domestic AI software capabilities.

‘AI UPI’ framework for health, education and MSMEs

The minister further announced plans to launch an 'AI UPI' framework aimed at enabling AI applications in sectors such as healthcare, education, and MSMEs. This initiative will be rolled out under AI Mission 2.0.

Deepfake laws and online content regulations under review: Vaishnaw

On regulatory concerns, Vaishnaw said there is a need for stricter laws to tackle deepfakes. The government is also deliberating on age-appropriate online content regulations and is conducting stakeholder consultations on the draft framework.

India AI Impact Summit 2026

India is hosting what is being described as one of the largest global gatherings on artificial intelligence. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is taking place from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

With representatives from more than 100 countries, about 15 Heads of State and Government, over 100 global CEOs, and a large presence of academic and technology leaders, the summit is being seen as a moment that could shape how AI is built, regulated and used in both emerging and advanced economies.

Ahead of the event, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the summit has received an overwhelming international response, reflecting the rapid and systematic growth of India’s AI ecosystem and its rising role in shaping global technology conversations.