Quick Read
- Galgotias University was expelled from the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 18, 2026.
- A university representative claimed a commercially available Chinese-made robotic dog, Unitree Go2, was an original university innovation.
- Internet users quickly identified the robot, exposing the false claim.
- The university initially called the backlash a “propaganda campaign” but later apologized, stating its representative was “ill-informed.”
- The incident caused embarrassment for India’s efforts to position itself as a global AI and innovation hub.
NEW DELHI (Azat TV) – A private Indian university was removed from a major artificial intelligence summit in New Delhi on Wednesday after one of its representatives falsely claimed a commercially available Chinese-made robotic dog was an original university innovation. The incident caused significant embarrassment for India’s efforts to position itself as a global AI leader, drawing swift condemnation and leading to the university’s expulsion from the high-profile event.
According to government officials, Galgotias University was ordered to dismantle its exhibition stand at the India AI Impact Summit just a day after Professor Neha Singh, a communications professor representing the university, informed state-run broadcaster DD News that the robotic dog, named ‘Orion,’ had been developed by the university’s Centre of Excellence. However, online users quickly identified the robot as the Unitree Go2, a model sold by China’s Unitree Robotics, widely used in research and education with a starting price of approximately $1,600 (or 200,000 rupees).
Galgotias University’s Robotic Dog Controversy Unfolds
The controversy ignited when a video of Professor Singh’s remarks went viral across social media platforms. Internet users swiftly exposed the discrepancy, highlighting that the ‘Orion’ robot was readily available commercially. This immediate public scrutiny put Galgotias University in a difficult position and became a focal point of discussion at the summit.
Initially, Galgotias University released a statement on Tuesday, expressing that it was “deeply pained” by the backlash and characterizing the incident as a “propaganda campaign” aimed at spreading negativity and undermining the morale of its students. However, by Wednesday, the university issued a new statement, retracting its earlier stance. In this updated communication, Galgotias University apologized for the confusion and clarified that Professor Singh was not authorized to speak to the media and was “ill-informed” regarding the technical origins of the product. The university stated, “She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm at being on camera, gave factually incorrect information.” Professor Singh, speaking to reporters, suggested her remarks might have been misunderstood, stating, “It might be that I could not convey well what I wanted to say, or you could not understand well what I wanted to say.”
India’s AI Ambitions Face Scrutiny Amidst Summit Incident
The incident proved to be a significant embarrassment for India, which is hosting the summit to showcase its ambition as a global hub for AI and advanced manufacturing. The India AI Impact Summit, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam, is billed as a flagship event for the Global South, attracting over 100 countries, including more than 20 heads of state and government. Notable attendees included French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and industry leaders such as Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Indian government officials, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that the university was asked to remove its booth. While it was not immediately clear if the university had voluntarily removed its booth, a BBC reporter at the summit confirmed that electricity supply to the stall was cut off, and no university staff were present. India’s IT Secretary S Krishnan urged that the controversy should not “overshadow” the genuine work of other participants, emphasizing the importance of a “proper code of conduct.”
Wider Implications for Credibility and Local Innovation
The episode at the India AI Impact Summit underscores the high stakes for India as it seeks to attract billions of dollars in investments and establish itself as a credible leader in technological innovation. The government has consistently stressed the importance of local innovation and manufacturing, making the false claim by Galgotias University particularly damaging to this narrative.
The summit itself experienced some initial organizational challenges, including long queues and delays, and even reports of stolen items, though organizers later stated items were recovered. Despite these hiccups, the event was described as “absolutely buzzing” on its third day, with thousands visiting stalls. However, the Galgotias University controversy quickly overshadowed some of these positive aspects, drawing attention to issues of integrity and authenticity within the broader push for technological advancement.
The incident involving Galgotias University highlights the critical importance of verifiable innovation and transparent attribution in the competitive global landscape of artificial intelligence, especially as nations strive to establish their technological leadership.