ICIF 2026

2nd ANNUAL EDITION - INDIA’S COMPETITION & INNOVATION FORUM (ICIF) 2026

AI, Competition Law & the Future of Global Digital Markets Encouraged by the India–AI Impact Summit 2026

18th February 2026, Wednesday
Hotel Le Meridien, Windsor Pl,
Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001, INDIA
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Conference Concept

ICIF 2026 Concept

The Competition & Innovation Lab of The George Washington University, in collaboration with Lex Witness – India’s 1st Magazine on Legal & Corporate Affairs, presents the India’s Competition & Innovation Forum 2026 (ICIF 2026) in New Delhi.

The 2026 edition builds upon last year’s success, spotlighting Artificial Intelligence as the defining force shaping competition law, innovation policy, and digital market regulation worldwide.

Inspired by the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, ICIF 2026 positions itself as the thought prelude to India’s global AI leadership moment—the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.

The conference will bring together leading competition authorities, jurists, scholars, and policymakers to examine how AI-driven economies challenge traditional frameworks of market contestability, intellectual property, and innovation governance.

By fostering dialogue between domestic and global experts, ICIF 2026 aims to advance policy coherence, legal reform, and innovation resilience in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

ICIF 2025 Showreel

Forum Flow

Forum Schedule

  • 18th February 2026

    08:30 AM IST Onwards

08:30 AM: REGISTRATIONS & MINI BREAKFAST

09:30 AM: INAUGURAL CEREMONY

WELCOME REMARKS & NATIONAL ANTHEM

09:45 AM: WELCOME ADDRESS & CONTEXT SETTING

  • Prof. Aurelien Portuese
    Founding Director, Competition & Innovation Lab, George Washington University


10:00 AM: INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY CHIEF GUEST

  • Shri. R. Venkataramani*
    Ld. Attorney General for India


10:15 AM: KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY GUEST OF HONOUR

  • Mrs. Ravneet Kaur*
    Chairperson, Competition Commission of India, Government of India


10:30 AM: SPECIAL ADDRESS

  • Prof. Richard Whish
    Emeritus Professor of Law, King’s College London


10:45 AM: SPECIAL ADDRESS

  • Mr. Antonio Capobianco
    Deputy Head of the OECD Competition Division


FELICITATION CERMONY

11:15 AM: NETWORKING BREAK

11:45 AM: PANEL DISCUSSION I: AI & COMPETITION

  • MODERATOR

    Prof. Sidharth Chauhan
    Associate Professor, Jindal Global Law School and Director, Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law, and Regulation

  • Prof. (Dr.) Shilpi Bhattacharya
    Professor, Jindal Global Law School


Promoting Contestability in Digital and AI-Driven Markets

Ensuring fair access and reducing barriers to entry in AI markets

Algorithmic decision-making and competition distortions

Self-preferencing and gatekeeping in AI platforms

Regulatory tools for AI-era anti-competitive conduct


1:00 PM: NETWORKING LUNCH

2:00 PM: PANEL II: AI & INNOVATION

  • MODERATOR

    Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Kathuria
    Professor, BML Munjal School of Law


Attracting, Scaling, and Democratizing AI-Led Growth

AI as a driver of economic competitiveness and sovereign innovation

Incentivising investment and creating AI-ready ecosystems

Global best practices for scaling AI talent, infrastructure & capital flows

The India advantage: Innovation in the Global South


3:15 PM: NETWORKING BREAK

3:45 PM: PANEL III: AI & PATENTS

  • MODERATOR

    Prof. (Dr.) Manveen Singh
    Professor, Jindal Global Law School and India Initiative Lead, GW Competition & Innovation Lab

  • Prof. Krishna Deo Singh Chauhan
    Associate Professor, Jindal Global Law School


Protecting Innovation Incentives in the Age of Autonomous Creation

AI-generated inventions: Who owns the IP?

Patentability standards in AI-enabled research

Use of AI in Essentiality Checks for Standard Essential Patents (SEPs)

Balancing access with innovation incentives


5:00 PM: VALEDICTORY SESSION

A strategic dialogue synthesizing the path forward for AI regulation, competition enforcement, and innovation policy, featuring global leaders and scholars.


6:00 PM: CLOSING REMARKS FOLLOWED BY DINNER & COCKTAILS

Showcase Yourself @ ICIF 2026

ICIF 2026 invites visionary speakers, strategic sponsors, and forward-looking delegates to be part of this landmark gathering shaping the future of competition, innovation, and AI governance. Engage with global experts, share insights that influence policy, and connect with leaders driving India’s digital transformation. Whether through thought leadership, brand partnership, or knowledge participation, ICIF 2026 offers a powerful platform to contribute to India’s evolving role in the global AI and competition landscape.

Speaking & Sponsorship Interests

Please get in touch with Lex Witness - Official Conference Secretariat for more details.

Contact Lex Witness

Register as a Delegate

Please choose the appropriate category below and place your registration request. All registration requests received will be screened on a first cum first serve basis and a confirmation email shall be sent to your registered email address. Any registration without the confirmation email shall be considered as invalid. Each individual will need to register for themselves. No group registrations are allowed.

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