Altman Eyes India as Global AI Leaders Converge in Delhi

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning a visit to India in mid-February, marking his first trip to the country in nearly a year, as New Delhi prepares to host a major global AI summit, according to sources cited by TechCrunch.

India will host its first large-scale AI event—the India AI Impact Summit 2026—from February 16 to 20 in New Delhi. The summit is expected to bring together top global technology leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, alongside prominent Indian business figures such as Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani. Altman is not currently listed as a confirmed speaker on the summit’s official agenda.

However, people familiar with the matter say OpenAI is planning a series of closed-door meetings on the sidelines of the summit, with Altman expected to attend. OpenAI is also set to host a private event in New Delhi on February 19, bringing together venture capitalists and senior industry executives. The visit has not yet been publicly announced and plans could still change.

Several U.S.-based AI companies are organizing parallel events during the summit week, underscoring India’s growing importance in the global AI ecosystem. Anthropic has confirmed a developers’ day in Bengaluru on February 16, while Nvidia is expected to host an evening event in New Delhi during the same period.

Altman last visited India in February 2025 and had indicated plans to return later that year following OpenAI’s announcement of a New Delhi office, a trip that did not materialize. His upcoming visit comes as India emerges as a key growth market for global AI firms, driven by enterprise demand, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and large-scale consumer adoption through telecom partnerships.