The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under NITI Aayog, played a pivotal role at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, spotlighting how India’s artificial intelligence journey is advancing simultaneously at grassroots and policy levels.

At the heart of this momentum was the AI Tinkerpreneur Showcase, where 50 student teams from Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country presented AI-driven solutions to real-world challenges in healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience, accessibility, education, and public service delivery. The showcase illustrated how school-level innovation is increasingly aligned with national development priorities and the vision of inclusive, technology-led growth.

AI Tinkerpreneur, a flagship programme of AIM implemented in collaboration with Intel, is designed to strengthen AI competencies, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking among school students. The initiative encourages young innovators to identify pressing community problems and develop scalable, technology-driven solutions using AI tools and methodologies.

This year, the programme witnessed participation from over 12,000 student teams nationwide. Following a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process, the top 50 teams were selected to present their innovations at the Summit, reflecting the diversity, talent, and ingenuity emerging from classrooms across India.

A special highlight was the “AI by HER” segment, where girl innovators from ATLs shared their journeys of building AI solutions, overcoming barriers, and emerging as confident contributors to India’s AI ecosystem. Their projects addressed critical national priorities such as food security, affordable healthcare, and indigenous innovation, reinforcing the importance of inclusive participation and the spirit of self-reliance in shaping the future of AI.

A defining moment of pride came when an ATL student innovator took a pledge alongside the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, symbolising the collective commitment of India’s youth to responsible AI innovation and nation-building.

Beyond student engagement, AIM also contributed to high-level policy dialogues at the Summit. Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, AIM, participated in strategic panel discussions on resilient leadership in the age of AI and on building regional AI hubs for inclusive growth. Emphasising ecosystem collaboration, he noted that India’s AI leadership will stem not from isolated breakthroughs but from connected networks linking innovators, mentors, investors, and policymakers.

The participation of ATLs at the Summit underscored a powerful narrative: India’s AI future is being shaped not only in boardrooms and policy forums, but also in school labs—where young minds are already building solutions for a Viksit Bharat 2047.