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By Tanveer Ahmed :
The India AI Impact Summit suffered another setback on Thursday after Bill Gates withdrew from delivering his scheduled keynote address, compounding challenges for an event already facing criticism over organisation and security lapses.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said the decision was made “to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit’s key priorities,” despite earlier assurances that Gates would attend. His cancellation followed that of Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, further denting the high-profile gathering that India had positioned as a landmark AI forum for the Global South.
Addressing the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the need for stronger safeguards for children on artificial intelligence platforms. Sharing the stage with global tech leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, and Dario Amodei, Modi called for curated AI systems that prioritise child and family safety.
The event, however, has been overshadowed by a series of controversies. Exhibition halls were unexpectedly closed to the public, sparking frustration among companies that had invested in booths and displays. Earlier in the week, Galgotias University was asked to vacate its stall after a staff member presented a Chinese-made robotic dog as an indigenous innovation, triggering public backlash.
Traffic disruptions further aggravated attendees, with police restricting road access for VIP movement. Social media footage showed participants walking long distances due to road closures and limited transport options. Opposition figures, including Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, criticised the government over what they described as poor planning and management.
Despite the turbulence, the summit has reportedly secured significant investment pledges exceeding $100 billion, with commitments from companies such as Microsoft, Adani Group, and data infrastructure firm Yotta. Government officials project that total investment promises could cross $200 billion over the next two years, although analysts caution that rapid expansion may place additional pressure on India’s energy and water resources.
While organisers aim to position India as a central player in global AI governance, the summit’s organisational challenges and high-profile withdrawals have cast a shadow over its broader ambitions.
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