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By Malik Shahzad Aslam :
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi has faced intense criticism after multiple controversies overshadowed its opening days, including theft claims and misrepresentation of imported AI hardware as domestic innovation.
Bengaluru-based startup founder Dhananjay Yadav reported that AI-powered wearable devices from his exhibition booth went missing during a security lockdown ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a LinkedIn post, Yadav said he had trusted security personnel to safeguard the products while he stepped away, but the devices were later found missing despite being in a high-security area.
“This is extremely disappointing,” he wrote, highlighting the financial and logistical investment his startup made for the summit. Other participants shared similar experiences online, citing misplaced laptops and unattended demos, raising concerns over the event’s security and organization.
The summit also saw controversy over the display of an AI-powered robot dog. Galgotias University was accused of falsely presenting a Chinese-made Unitree Go2 robot as its own invention, a claim later clarified after social media backlash. Wipro also showcased the same robot, named TJ, with branding altered to remove identifying marks, further fueling skepticism over authenticity.
The five-day summit, hosted at Bharat Mandapam from February 16–20, attracted policymakers, technology leaders, international delegates, and startup founders. While it aimed to position India as a global hub for AI innovation, these incidents have drawn scrutiny over exhibitor verification, security arrangements, and event oversight.
The controversies have sparked widespread debate online, with attendees and observers questioning whether the summit delivered meaningful innovation or simply generated negative headlines.
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