Chaos at AI Summit Embarrasses India on the World Stage

The opening day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi was marred by confusion, overcrowding and logistical lapses, prompting an apology from Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and triggering sharp political criticism. Held at Bharat Mandapam , the summit touted as one of the world’s largest gatherings on artificial intelligence began amid scenes that many delegates described as chaotic.

Officials said more than 70,000 people attended on the first day, far exceeding expectations and resulting in long queues , security bottlenecks and the temporary evacuation of exhibition stalls. Organisers acknowledged that heightened security arrangements ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s visit to the expo added to the disruption. Addressing reporters, Vaishnaw apologised for the inconvenience caused, attributing it to the overwhelming response. He said a real-time “war room” had been set up to resolve issues and assured smoother conduct in the remaining days. According to officials, over 300,000 youth and researchers have registered for the summit, with most sessions running full.

The disarray also led to complaints from exhibitors and visitors. Some exhibitors alleged that equipment went missing after they were asked to vacate stalls on security instructions, including claims of AI wearables being lost. Participants cited shortages of food and drinking water , confusion during registration and weak Wi-Fi connectivity . Organisers said corrective steps were taken through the day and coordination would improve.

Despite the troubled start, the summit is intended to project India’s ambition to emerge as a global AI hub . The government has projected more than $200 billion in potential investments over the next two years, driven by interest in deep-tech startups , AI infrastructure and scalable solutions. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described AI-enabled education as a national priority, stressing its role in preparing students and teachers for future jobs.

The opposition seized on the chaos. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge termed the event a “complete mess”, alleging severe inconvenience to visitors and exhibitors. He suggested organisers learn from the Bengaluru Tech Summit, known for handling large-scale technology events smoothly.

While the Centre has apologised and announced corrective measures, the chaotic opening of the high-profile summit has sparked debate over planning lapses, casting an awkward shadow over India’s attempt to showcase itself on the global technology stage.