A one-and-a-half-day workshop to co-create India's first participatory AI framework.
February 2026 | India
This workshop is the official pre-summit event of the India AI Impact Summit, bringing together global perspectives to shape the future of AI for the Global South.
Co-creating AI solutions with communities
Where Communities Shape Intelligence
Building inclusive technology for all
AI, Co-Created, Participation Before Deployment
Innovation rooted in tradition
Building a future that honors heritage and embraces progress
The "Community-Driven AI A Roadmap for India's Last Mile" is a one-and-a-half-day intensive workshop jointly organised by the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Cell and the School of AI, IIT Delhi.
The convening focuses on setting the tone for designing participatory and community-responsive AI ecosystems by centering the lived realities of India's last-mile communities. These include tribal communities, linguistic minorities, informal-sector workers, persons with disabilities, ageing populations, remote and low-connectivity populations, and communities with limited access to digital infrastructure and public services.
The event brings together AI researchers, policymakers, civil society leaders, technologists, and community representatives to co-create ethical, participatory, and accountable AI frameworks that are socially grounded, culturally sensitive, and operationally viable.
Through a carefully curated mix of keynote addresses, panel discussions, thematic roundtables, and roadmap-drafting sessions, the workshop aims to develop India's first Community-Driven AI Roadmap. The deliberations and outcomes will directly inform a White Paper and policy recommendations to guide responsive AI development and deployment in governance, public service delivery, and community-facing digital systems.
To develop a future-oriented roadmap for community-driven AI systems that respond to last-mile realities in India with relevance for global contexts.
To embed community purpose, contextual intelligence, and knowledge into the full lifecycle of AI design, data practices, and governance.
To shape responsible AI ecosystems that are transparent and accountable to the communities they are built to serve.
To cultivate community stewardship over AI by enabling local ownership, literacy, and participatory governance of emerging technologies.
To democratize AI innovation by centering marginalized voices, local knowledge systems, and equitable access in the creation of intelligent technologies.
The primary goal of the workshop is to brainstorm, synthesize, and articulate a roadmap for developing community-driven AI in India.
Specifically, the workshop seeks to:
Grounded in India's last-mile realities, the roadmap emerging from the workshop is envisioned as scalable across national contexts and relevant for global application, informing not only where AI should be deployed, but how it should be designed, developed, and governed.
Learn from thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers shaping the future of tribal communities.
Organizing members
Opening Ceremony & Keynotes
Panel discussions and thematic workshops
Interactive sessions & closing ceremony
Keynotes & Breakout Summary
Interactive sessions & closing ceremony
A carefully curated 1.5-day program featuring keynotes, panels, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to maximize learning and collaboration.
Download the complete program guide with detailed session descriptions, speaker information, and venue maps.
1.5 Days | 7th & 8th February 2026
Seminar Hall | IIT Delhi
Lamp Lighting & Inaugration
Setting the stage for the summit with an overview of the current landscape and key challenges.
3 Talks
A small refreshment break
2 Talks
AI Centric panel discussion
Traditional lunch featuring tribal cuisine
A Keynote, delivered by one of our speakers
4 Talks
Refreshments
Social Centric
Community-Led Digital Transformation | Tech Entrepreneurship | Policy & Governance
AI Ethics and Fairness | AI for Governance & Service Delivery | Contextualizing AI for India
Keynote
4 Talks
Refreshments
Last Keynote
Presentation of outcomes, vote of thanks, and way forward
Farewell lunch and informal networking
Traditional lunch featuring tribal cuisine
A collaborative effort bringing together government agencies, tribal organizations, and technology leaders to create meaningful change.
Working towards the protection and promotion of rights and interests of Scheduled Tribes.
Leading the initiative to empower tribal communities through digital transformation and sustainable development.
Driving AI innovation and digital solutions for inclusive growth across all communities.
Promoting tribal art, culture, and products through modern marketing channels and technology.
A Shared responsibility of bridging language barriers and preserving cultural identity and traditions.
