Galgotias University's Claim of a Chinese Robot Dog as Their Own Sparks Backlash at India AI Summit
An Indian university has sparked controversy at the AI summit in Delhi, claiming a Chinese-made robotic dog as its own invention. The incident occurred when a professor from Galgotias University falsely stated that the robot named 'Orion' was 'developed' at their Centre of Excellence. The video of her remarks went viral, revealing the machine to be the Go2 model made by Chinese firm Unitree Robotics, available commercially for around 200,000 rupees ($2,200; £1,600).
The university initially denied the claim, describing the backlash as a 'propaganda campaign' and emphasizing their focus on AI programming education. Professor Neha Singh later clarified her remarks, suggesting a misunderstanding. However, social media users accused the university of dishonesty, and the university was asked to vacate its stall at the summit. Despite this, the controversy led to the electricity supply being cut off, and the university's booth was left without lights and staff.
The incident has been seen as an embarrassment for the summit organizers, as the video was shared on IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's official X account. India's IT Secretary S Krishnan emphasized the need for a proper code of conduct and expressed hope that the event's positive impact on AI adoption would not be overshadowed by the controversy. The India AI Impact Summit, attended by delegates from over 100 countries, aims to position India as a global AI hub, but its opening day was marred by complaints of overcrowding and confusion.
