New Delhi / Jamshedpur / Patna | 17 February 2026 — At the ‘India AI Impact Expo’ that opened on Monday at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, eastern India put on a striking display of its technological strength. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the expo, praised indigenous innovations, and called AI a ‘game-changer’ for the country’s growth and for international collaboration. On the opening day itself, Jharkhand and Bihar together established themselves as the new ‘Eastern Gateway’ of technology.
Jamshedpur’s ‘Actuality’ makes its mark
The indigenous AI model ‘Actuality’, built by Jamshedpur resident Harish Kumar of Jharkhand, has redefined data security at the expo. On the opening day of the summit — themed ‘People, Planet & Progress’ — his startup drew the attention of foreign experts with its ‘privacy-first’ technology. An investor from England has expressed deep interest in the innovation.
For sensitive sectors such as healthcare, education and defence, the model has emerged as India’s indigenous and secure alternative. A live demo of ‘Actuality’ is running at Hall No. 1.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Offline processing | Heavy data processed in just 60 seconds — no internet required. |
| Data sovereignty | Data stays on a local server instead of the cloud — zero risk of sensitive information leaking. |
| Cost-efficient | Built for roughly ₹50 lakh — a far cheaper alternative to foreign AI subscriptions. |
Bihar: now exporting brainpower, not just labour
At the India AI Impact Expo, Bihar has positioned itself this time as a ‘creator’ rather than a ‘consumer’. The Bihar Pavilion at Hall 5-F of Bharat Mandapam is making the case that the state is ready to export not just labour but also intellect.
Through its new semiconductor and IT policy, the Bihar government is courting investment along the lines of ‘Silicon Valley’. On Tuesday, the Bihar Pavilion will be formally inaugurated in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Union Minister Lalan Singh and Union Minister Giriraj Singh — opening new doors for high-tech jobs in the state.
MOUs with leading companies
PM Modi inaugurates the expo, applauds indigenous innovation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘India AI Impact Expo’ at Bharat Mandapam on Monday and, in conversation with startup representatives, applauded indigenous innovation. The PM called AI a game-changer for India’s growth and for international collaboration.
Key takeaways at a glance
- Inauguration:By PM Modi at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Theme:People, Planet & Progress
- Jharkhand's moment:Harish Kumar's 'Actuality' AI model
- Bihar Pavilion:At Hall 5-F, with a research MOU with IIT Patna
- Foreign investment:An England-based investor's interest in 'Actuality'
- Goal:Position eastern India as the 'Eastern Gateway' of technology