techend
By Web Desk :
The controversy surrounding a robotic dog at the India AI Impact Summit intensified on Wednesday after Galgotias University rejected allegations that it falsely presented a Chinese product as its own innovation.
The row erupted when a faculty member, Neha Singh, told DD News that a robotic dog named “Orion” had been developed at the university’s Centre of Excellence. The clip was widely circulated online, triggering scrutiny from technology experts and social media users.
Soon after, the robot was identified as the Go2 model manufactured by Unitree Robotics, a commercially available device marketed globally for research and surveillance purposes. The revelation sparked accusations that the university had attempted to pass off imported technology as indigenous innovation.
In its defence, the university said the robot was being used strictly as a learning tool and that the intention was to demonstrate how students can programme and deploy artificial intelligence systems using internationally available hardware. It insisted no claim of original invention had been officially made and blamed the controversy on “miscommunication amplified by social media”.
Despite this clarification, the damage had already been done. Reports emerged that the university was asked to remove its display from the summit. While faculty members denied receiving formal instructions, the Press Trust of India later confirmed that electricity supply to the stall was disconnected. Journalists at the venue observed the booth in darkness and deserted.
The incident caused discomfort for organisers, particularly as the initial video had been reshared by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on his official social media account before being quietly deleted.
India’s IT Secretary S Krishnan sought to contain the fallout, urging participants not to let one episode undermine the broader objectives of the summit. He stressed that global platforms require ethical presentation standards and warned against using such events for publicity stunts.
The five-day summit, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam, is being positioned as India’s most ambitious effort yet to brand itself as a global centre for artificial intelligence. Delegates from over 100 countries are attending, including technology leaders such as Sundar Pichai.
Ironically, the robotic dog episode has sparked wider debate within India’s tech community about credibility, transparency, and the pressure on institutions to showcase innovation at any cost. Analysts say the incident highlights the fine line between promoting AI education and exaggerating achievements — especially at a time when India is seeking international recognition as a serious player in emerging technologies.
Organisers remain hopeful that the momentum of policy discussions, startup showcases, and closed-door meetings on AI governance will ultimately overshadow the controversy and reinforce India’s ambition to shape the future of artificial intelligence.
About The Author
