AI Summit Row: IT Secretary Issues Stern Warning to Exhibitors
IT Secretary S Krishnan issued a firm directive on Wednesday, stating that exhibitors at the AI Impact Summit must refrain from displaying items that do not belong to them. This statement came amidst an escalating controversy surrounding Galgotias University's showcase of a Chinese-made robotic dog at the flagship event.
"Exhibitors must not display items that are not their own," Krishnan emphasized, addressing the growing questions about the robotic display at the summit venue in New Delhi. The controversy has cast a shadow over an event designed to highlight India's domestic advancements in artificial intelligence.
The Controversial Display at Bharat Mandapam
The dispute erupted during the AI Impact Summit 2026, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam. Galgotias University exhibited a robotic dog named "Orion," which was later identified as the Unitree Go2—a commercially available quadruped robot manufactured by Chinese firm Unitree Robotics.
This machine is sold in India for approximately Rs 2–3 lakh, raising significant concerns as it was allegedly presented as an in-house innovation. The summit, positioned as a premier platform to showcase India's AI capabilities, faced criticism for this misrepresentation.
University's Stall Vacated and Power Cut Off
Government sources revealed that following the row, Galgotias University was asked to vacate its stall. Reports indicate that the pavilion's power supply was subsequently cut off after the university was directed to leave the expo premises.
In a press statement issued after the evacuation, the university expressed deep regret over the confusion. The statement attributed the issue to Professor Neha Singh, who managed the stall, claiming she was unaware of the product's technical origins and provided factually incorrect information.
"We at Galgotias University wish to apologise profusely for the confusion created at the recent AI Summit. One of our representatives, manning the pavilion, was ill-informed. She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information even though she was not authorised to speak to the press... Understanding the organisers’ sentiment we have vacated the premises," the statement read.
Professor's Remarks Trigger Scrutiny
The issue intensified after Professor Singh, while presenting the robot to DD News, stated, "We are the first private university investing more than 350 crore rupees in artificial intelligence… So Orion has been developed by the Center of Excellences and as you can see, it can take all shapes and sizes." She further described the robot as capable of surveillance and monitoring tasks.
These remarks prompted immediate scrutiny from observers who recognized the machine as an off-the-shelf product sold globally by Unitree Robotics. The discrepancy between the claims and the robot's actual origin sparked widespread debate about transparency at such high-profile events.
University's Clarification and Stance
In an earlier clarification, Galgotias University asserted that it had neither built nor claimed to have built the robotic dog. The institution explained that its objective was to facilitate student learning using globally available technologies.
"Let us be clear - Galgotias has not built this robodog, neither have we claimed. But what we are building are minds that will soon design, engineer, and manufacture such technologies right here in Bharat," the university stated.
Professor Singh later addressed the controversy, attributing it to a lack of clarity in communication. She emphasized that the university introduced the robot to inspire students, not to claim manufacturing credit, underscoring the educational intent behind the display.
Broader Implications for AI Events
This incident highlights critical issues regarding authenticity and representation at technology summits. As India strives to position itself as a leader in artificial intelligence, ensuring that showcased innovations are genuine and properly attributed becomes paramount.
The AI Impact Summit, envisioned as a cornerstone event for demonstrating domestic AI advancements, now faces questions about its vetting processes for exhibitors. IT Secretary Krishnan's warning serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity in such forums.
Moving forward, this controversy may prompt stricter guidelines and verification mechanisms for future summits, aiming to prevent similar occurrences and maintain the credibility of India's AI showcase events.
