Chaos, confusion and theft mar AI Summit in New Delhi, exposing India’s mismanagement
#IndianSmaAI_Summit
New Delhi: India’s much touted AI Impact Summit began in Delhi amid chaos and confusion, raising serious questions about the country’s preparedness to host world-class technology events. Delegates from over 100 countries faced logistical nightmares, security bottlenecks, and poor crowd management, casting a shadow over the event.
According to Kashmir Media Service, attendees struggled to navigate long, snaking queues while VIPs bypassed the lines. Exhibitors and startup founders were stranded outside as the main hall was cleared for a security sweep ahead of Indain Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival.
“Gates are closed, so I could not access my own booth at the AI Summit,” Maitreya Wagh, co-founder of AI voice startup Bolna, wrote on X. Other attendees complained that basic belongings such as bags, car keys, and water were prohibited, making participation almost impossible.
Observers noted glaring organizational failures, including inadequate seating, lack of WiFi, and cash-only booths, leaving delegates without access to food or digital payments. Many journalists were left confused over entrance procedures due to issues with QR codes, physical passes, and a registration system that repeatedly crashed.
The event was further marred by allegations of theft. Dhananjay Yadav, founder of AI startup NeoSapiens, reported that his company’s wearable AI devices were stolen when the main hall was cleared for the prime minister.
The debacle forced India’s Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to issue an apology. “If anybody faced any problems yesterday, my apologies for that. We are working very hard to make sure it is enjoyable for all of you,” he said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
