OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning a visit to India in mid-February, his first in nearly a year, as New Delhi prepares to host a major global AI summit, sources told 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 draw top global technology leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, along with prominent Indian business leaders such as Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani. Altman is not currently listed as a confirmed speaker.
However, people familiar with the plans say OpenAI is organizing closed-door meetings on the sidelines of the summit, with Altman expected to participate. The company is also set to host a private OpenAI event in New Delhi on February 19, bringing together venture capitalists and senior industry executives. The visit has not yet been publicly announced and remains subject to change.
Several U.S.-based AI companies are planning parallel events during the summit week, highlighting India’s growing strategic 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 following OpenAI’s announcement of a New Delhi office, a trip that did not materialize. His proposed visit comes as India emerges as a key growth market for global AI firms, driven by strong enterprise demand, a thriving startup ecosystem, and large-scale consumer adoption through telecom partnerships.
