Slovakian President Visits India for AI Summit
Locales: INDIA, SLOVAKIA (Slovak Republic)

New Delhi, India - February 18th, 2026 - Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini arrived in New Delhi today, February 18th, to participate in the highly anticipated AI Impact Summit. Received warmly by Indian officials at the Delhi airport, President Pellegrini's visit highlights the strengthening relationship between India and Slovakia, particularly within the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence. The two-day summit, running from February 18th to 19th, is focused on charting a course for the responsible and ethical development of AI technologies, a topic of critical global importance.
President Pellegrini's presence is not merely symbolic; it signifies a proactive approach by Slovakia to engage with a nation at the forefront of digital transformation. In a brief statement to the media upon arrival, President Pellegrini voiced his admiration for India's advancements in the technology sector, acknowledging the country's significant strides in innovation and its growing role as a global tech hub. This acknowledgment is crucial, as Slovakia, a member of the European Union, seeks to broaden its technological partnerships beyond its traditional European collaborators.
Beyond Bilateral Ties: AI as a Catalyst for Global Cooperation
The AI Impact Summit itself is a landmark event, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and researchers from around the globe. The summit's core objective is to move beyond the hype surrounding AI and address the real-world implications - both positive and negative - of its widespread adoption. Discussions are expected to cover a broad spectrum of topics, including AI ethics, data privacy, algorithmic bias, workforce disruption, and the potential for AI to exacerbate existing inequalities.
India, with its immense data resources and burgeoning tech talent pool, is uniquely positioned to contribute to these discussions. The country's National AI Strategy, launched in 2023, outlines a vision for AI-powered development across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, and infrastructure. Slovakia, with its own established industrial base and commitment to innovation, is keen to explore synergies with India's AI ecosystem.
Slovakia's AI Ambitions and Potential Collaboration Areas
Slovakia has been steadily increasing its investment in AI research and development, focusing on areas such as robotics, automation, and machine learning. The nation's strengths lie in its precision engineering, automotive industry (a major investor in AI-powered manufacturing processes), and a growing startup scene. President Pellegrini's visit aims to identify specific areas where Slovakia and India can collaborate on AI projects.
Potential collaboration areas include:
- Smart Manufacturing: Combining Slovakia's expertise in industrial automation with India's scale and cost-effectiveness to develop advanced smart manufacturing solutions.
- Healthcare AI: Joint research into AI-powered diagnostics, personalized medicine, and remote healthcare solutions, particularly addressing challenges in rural and underserved communities.
- Cybersecurity: Collaborative efforts to develop AI-driven cybersecurity tools to protect critical infrastructure and combat cyber threats.
- Agricultural Technology: Leveraging AI and data analytics to improve crop yields, optimize resource utilization, and enhance agricultural sustainability.
- AI Ethics and Governance: Sharing best practices and developing common standards for the ethical and responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
The Geopolitical Significance of Tech Alliances
This growing partnership between India and Slovakia also reflects a broader trend of diversifying technological alliances. In an increasingly polarized world, countries are seeking to reduce their dependence on single technology providers and build more resilient supply chains. For Slovakia, strengthening ties with India provides access to a vibrant and growing market, as well as a valuable source of technological expertise. For India, the partnership offers opportunities to tap into European innovation and enhance its global competitiveness.
The AI Impact Summit, therefore, is more than just a technical conference; it's a platform for forging new strategic partnerships and shaping the future of AI in a responsible and inclusive manner. President Pellegrini's participation underscores the importance of international cooperation in navigating the complex challenges and opportunities presented by this transformative technology.
Read the Full The Hans India Article at:
[ https://www.thehansindia.com/news/national/slovakia-prez-peter-pellegrini-lands-in-delhi-to-attend-ai-impact-summit-1049634 ]