India’s much-anticipated India AI Impact Summit, designed to highlight the country’s growing influence in artificial intelligence and global tech governance, opened in New Delhi on Monday under a cloud of criticism, as attendees reported long queues, overcrowded halls and widespread confusion at the venue.
The summit, being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, is expected to draw as many as 250,000 participants over several days.
However, its first day was marked by logistical breakdowns that left delegates, journalists and exhibitors frustrated, and in some cases unable to access areas they had been accredited for.
Confusion and Crowding on Opening Day
Several attendees told Reuters that unclear instructions and last-minute security procedures led to chaos early in the day.
According to delegates, parts of the exhibition complex were suddenly cleared to allow for security sweeps ahead of high-level arrivals, forcing people to rush outside and then scramble to recover personal belongings once access was restricted.
Some speakers scheduled for panels later in the week said they were still waiting for confirmation of session timings and agendas, raising concerns about whether the programme was fully finalised.
Poor signage inside the sprawling venue and limited seating further added to the confusion, with some sessions unable to accommodate all those hoping to attend.
Journalists covering the summit also described difficulties navigating entry requirements, citing uncertainty over the use of digital QR codes versus physical passes. Messages circulating in an event-related WhatsApp group showed reporters seeking clarity on basic access procedures, while several said promised physical passes were not available when they arrived.
Social Media Backlash
As the day progressed, frustration spilled onto social media platforms, where participants publicly criticised the event’s organisation. One startup founder said he was unable to reach his own exhibition booth after gates were temporarily closed, joking that he might relocate to a nearby café in Connaught Place to meet visitors instead.
Others complained of a lack of designated workspaces, making it difficult to file stories, conduct interviews or hold meetings in what was meant to be a flagship international technology gathering.
India’s IT ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the complaints.
High Stakes for India’s Tech Narrative
The disarray risks overshadowing the broader goals of the summit, which the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promoted as a landmark event. Officials have positioned the gathering as a platform for developing nations to shape global conversations around artificial intelligence, ethics and regulation.
Notably, this is the first time the global AI Impact Summit has been hosted in the developing world, a point of pride for Indian policymakers.
For New Delhi, the event is meant to underline India’s ambition to become a major player in the AI ecosystem, both as a hub for innovation and as a voice for emerging economies in international rule-setting.
Analysts say that visible organisational shortcomings at such a high-profile summit could detract from that message, particularly as India seeks to compete with established tech centres in the United States, Europe and East Asia.
Looking Ahead
Despite the rocky start, organisers still have several days to stabilise operations and refocus attention on the summit’s substance, which includes discussions on AI governance, innovation, inclusion and economic growth.
Whether the event ultimately reinforces or undermines India’s global tech aspirations may depend on how quickly authorities address the logistical challenges highlighted on opening day.
For now, the contrast between India’s lofty AI ambitions and the on-the-ground experience of many attendees has become a talking point—one that underscores the complexity of hosting mega-events in an era of heightened security and massive participation.
Source Reuters
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