Long Queues, Poor Planning, 'Theft': AI Impact Summit's Rocky Monday Launch

New Delhi: The first day of the much touted India AI Impact Summit, which began in New Delhi on February 16, was marked by substantial logistical issues at the venue, prompting an apology from the Union information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The summit saw visitors struggling to make it past the various security checkpoints and other hurdles at the entrance while VIPs whizzed past long, snaking queues, attendees said.

Several others complained of organisational lapses and lack of planning for an event of this scale with delegates from over 100 countries. The summit is seen as unique for being the first to be held in the Global South. The last two AI summits were held in the UK and South Korea.

According to social media posts from attendees left disgruntled by the poor crowd management, many exhibitors and startup founders were stranded outside the venue as the main hall was shut down for a security sweep ahead of the prime minister’s arrival.

"Gates are closed so could not access my own booth at the AI Summit. If you're also stuck outside and wanted to visit the Bolna team, dm me," Maitreya Wagh, co-founder of AI voice startup Bolna, wrote on X.

Another user on X while listing objects prohibited at the venue questioned how one was to attend the summit without any basic belongings like a bag, car keys and water. 

Among other issues observed at the event were inadequate seating arrangements, the absence of WiFi and the resulting unavailability of digital payments, with cash-only booths leaving many without access to food and water.

Reuters reported that many delegates were unable to reclaim their devices and other possessions due to unclear instructions from the organisers. According to its report, many journalists covering the summit were left enquiring about entrance procedures for much of the day due to confusion over digital QR codes and physical passes. Many also complained of the registration system crashing several times during the event.

The event was further marred by allegations of theft, with Dhananjay Yadav, founder AI start-up NeoSapiens, alleging that the company’s wearable AI devices were stolen from the venue when the main hall was cleared for the prime minister’s arrival.

In a detailed post on X, Yadav alleged, “At 12 noon, security personnel arrived to sanitise and cordon off the area ahead of the visit by PM Modi visit at 2pm. I explained that we’re building India’s first patented AI wearable at NeoSapien and requested a chance to showcase it.

One officer told others to let me stay, and they left. Then another group came and ordered us to leave immediately. Seemed like there was lack of co-ordination between the security itself.

I asked: “Should we take our wearables?” They said, others are leaving even laptops behind, security will take care. Trusting them, I left. Hoping that the wearables will be safe, and If I am lucky, it might catch the eye of PM Modi. Gates were closed from 12–6pm. Much much longer than expected. Later we found out that our wearables were stolen.”

Ashwini Vaishnaw apologises

"If anybody has faced any problems yesterday, my apologies for that. We are working very hard. The entire team is working day and night to organise this world's biggest AI Summit, and we'll make all efforts to make sure it is enjoyable for all of you,” Vaishnaw said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

Vaishnaw also said that a “war room” had been set up to ensure the event was carried out smoothly and urged people to send in their feedback.

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