New Delhi: Long queues, locked halls, session confusion and a theft FIR overshadowed the opening day of the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi, billed as one of the world's largest AI gatherings with 70,000 attendees from over 100 countries.
Social media erupted with complaints of 7 AM queues, full exhibition evacuations ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, cash-only food stalls frustrating international delegates, and overcrowded sessions forcing closures. Healthcare startup founder Soumya Sharma noted excellent content marred by operational lapses: " Unless we get the basics right, we cannot claim to be utilising AI to its fullest."
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw acknowledged the chaos at a Tuesday press conference, admitting organisation was "very slow" but calling overall response "phenomenal," with a war-room addressing grievances.
A healthcare wearable theft during security lockdown drew particular heat. NeoSapien founder Dhananjay Yadav alleged devices vanished from his stall after exhibitors were ordered out for sanitisation around noon, assured security would watch items left behind. Delhi Police filed an FIR, identified the culprit via CCTV, and recovered the devices within 24 hours—Yadav praised their "superfast response."
Separately, a Chinese Unitree Go2 robodog (Rs 2-3 lakh), displayed as Greater Noida university's homegrown "Orion," sparked online fury over misrepresented imports. The institution clarified it was procured for teaching/research, denying development claims, though community notes disputed this.
Modi hailed the event's showcase of "Indian talent and innovation" for global solutions, while Vaishnaw stressed examining AI's benefits and harms. Global leaders like OpenAI's Sam Altman and Alphabet Inc's Sundar Pichai are expected to attend.