Author: Aditya Soni and Abhirami G
New Delhi, Feb 16 – The India Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit, an event aimed at showcasing the country’s technological ambitions, faced a wave of online criticism on its opening day on Monday, with attendees reporting long queues, overcrowding and organizational missteps at the New Delhi venue.
Several representatives told Reuters that the exhibition building was suddenly emptied before security sweeps were carried out for high-rise arrivals, and unclear instructions left many scrambling to reclaim their property. Some speakers at Tuesday’s panel are still awaiting confirmation of the meeting and agenda.
Attendees said poor signage and limited seating contributed to the chaos at the summit, where about 250,000 people were expected to attend, and that some sessions were unable to accommodate all those seeking admission.
India’s Information Technology Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Developing countries gear up for AI boom
For Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, chaos at an event with international ramifications creates more than just poor visuals – organizational missteps could overshadow the government’s message about India’s technological prowess.
Indian officials positioned the summit, which runs until February 20, as a platform to amplify the voices of developing countries in global AI governance. Delhi marks the first time this global event has been held in a developing country.
Some journalists covering the summit spent much of Monday seeking clarification on entry procedures but were confused by separate digital QR codes and physical passes, according to messages in a WhatsApp group about the event.
Many journalists said the physical passes they were promised were not yet ready, while others complained about a lack of seats to cover stories and conduct interviews.
Many attendees took to social media on Monday to complain about the organization of the event.
Maitreya Wagh, co-founder of artificial intelligence voice startup Bolna, wrote on
“We may set up a mini stall at some of the cafes in Connaught Place,” he added, referring to the business district near the summit venue.
(Reporting by Aditya Soni, Abhirami G and Munsif Vengattil in New Delhi; Editing by Jan Harvey)