**Executive Summary**
On February 18, 2026, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, inaugurated the WAVES Creators' Corner at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. This initiative aims to showcase the transformative applications of Artificial Intelligence within the AVGC-XR ecosystem. The event featured 51 Media Tech startups and challenge winners, highlighting AI's role in creative capacity building.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **WAVES Creators' Corner:**
* Serves as an extension of the Ministry's key initiatives, including WaveX, Waves Bazaar, and Create in India Challenges.
* Designed as a fully operational, hands-on innovation workspace.
* Will host expert dialogues, filmmaker masterclasses, and technical sessions throughout the Summit.
* **Exhibition and Engagement:**
* Shri Vaishnaw interacted with 51 AVGC-XR and Media Tech startups supported by WaveX, showcasing AI-powered solutions.
* The Minister engaged with winners of the Bhasha Setu and Kalaa Setu challenges.
* Participated in a fireside chat with Shradha Sharma of YourStory, discussing AI's impact and bridging the gap for rural talent.
* **Technological Highlights:**
* Cutting-edge AI experiences are on display, including real-time game development, prompt-to-cinema live studios, and an Agentic AI-powered newsroom.
* Featured innovations include Sarvam's real-time voice cloning, Indus Chat App for multilingual interaction, 270-degree AI film screenings, and face/voice re-aging technology.
* **Capacity Building:**
* IICT was praised for integrating AI into creative education to prepare students for industry demands.
**Impact Analysis**
**Startups in the AVGC-XR and Media Tech Ecosystem**
* **Impact:** Greater visibility and recognition; Opportunity to showcase solutions to potential investors and partners.
* **Action Required:** Engage with attendees, demonstrate products effectively, and network for future collaborations.
**Students and Educators at IICT**
* **Impact:** Enhanced learning environment with integrated AI education.
* **Action Required:** Embrace and utilize the new AI tools and resources provided for creative education.
**Global Leaders and Experts**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to share expertise and insights on AI's impact.
* **Action Required:** Participate in expert dialogues, filmmaker masterclasses, and technical sessions to contribute to the Summit.
**Entrepreneurs from Rural India**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to leverage AI to reach a wider audience and showcase talent.
* **Action Required:** Develop and implement AI-powered solutions that address the unique challenges and opportunities in rural communities.
Key Entities Referenced
India AI Impact Summit 2026: A summit focused on Artificial Intelligence, with the WAVES Creators' Corner being a key highlight.
WAVES Creators' Corner: An innovation workspace designed to demonstrate AI applications within the AVGC-XR ecosystem.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The government ministry overseeing the initiative.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, who inaugurated the WAVES Creators' Corner.
AVGC-XR: Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality ecosystem. The applications of Artificial Intelligence within the AVGC-XR ecosystem is demonstrated at the Pavilion.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurates ‘WAVES
Creators’ Corner’ at India AI Impact Summit 2026
Minister Engages with 51 Media Tech Startups and Challenge
Winners at WAVES
Shri Vaishnaw Highlights IICT’s AI Push for Creative Capacity
Building
Posted On: 18 FEB 2026 11:06AM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, inaugurated the WAVES
Creators’ Corner on the second day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Conceptualized as a fully
operational, hands-on innovation workspace, the Pavilion is designed to demonstrate the transformative
applications of Artificial Intelligence within the AVGC-XR (Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics, and
Extended Reality) ecosystem.
During the inaugural ceremony, the Minister underscored that the WAVES Creators’ Corner serves as a
strategic extension of the Ministry’s key initiatives, including WaveX, Waves Bazaar, and the Create in
India Challenges. Shri Vaishnaw conducted an extensive walkthrough of the pavilion, interacting withemerging entrepreneurs from the WaveX startup cohort and senior leadership from global entities such as
Adobe, Netflix, Sony, and Amazon.
51 Startups Got Exposure
In a significant boost to the Media & Entertainment ecosystem, 51 promising AVGC-XR and Media Tech
startups, supported by WaveX, are showcasing AI-powered solutions and immersive technologies at the
Pavilion. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw interacted with these entrepreneurs, including winners of the Bhasha
Setu and Kalaa Setu challenges.
Fireside Chat with Shradha Sharma
The Minister also participated in a high-profile fireside conversation with Shradha Sharma of YourStory at
the Media Lounge. In this session, he shared his perspective on the profound impact of AI on society,
highlighting how technology is bridging the gap for talent from rural India to establish world-class
startups.
Key Technological Highlights at WAVES Creators’ Corner
The Pavilion showcased cutting-edge AI experiences, from real-time game development and prompt-to-
cinema live studios to an Agentic AI-powered newsroom by AWS and BharatGen enabling automated
editorial workflows. Innovations included Sarvam’s real-time voice cloning and Indus Chat App for
multilingual interaction, 270-degree AI film screenings curated by NFDC, Sony Research India’s face and
voice re-aging technology, and Whistling Woods International’s marker-less motion capture using a DSLR
or iPhone.
Capacity Building and Future Readiness:
The Minister praised IICT for integrating AI into creative education to equip students for evolving
industry demands.
WAVES Creators’ Corner:
The platform will continue hosting expert dialogues, filmmaker masterclasses, and technical sessions by
global leaders throughout the Summit.
*****Mahesh Kumar/ Vivek Vishwash/Aparajita Priyadarshini
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