India’s AI Impact Summit Opens Chaotically, Modi Inaugurates Amid Logistical Failures
Updated (2 articles)
Opening Day Disrupted by Queues and Security Issues The inaugural day saw thousands of delegates stranded in long lines as security sweeps forced last‑minute hall closures at Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, leaving roughly 70,000 attendees outside exhibition spaces for hours [1]. Basic services faltered, with food stalls accepting cash only, limited water supplies, and inaccessible booths, while reports emerged of stolen wearable AI devices from a high‑security zone [1]. Organizers struggled to manage crowd control, prompting immediate criticism of the event’s logistical planning [1].
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Officially Launches Global‑South AI Event Modi inaugurated the five‑day summit, branding it the first Global‑South AI gathering and emphasizing India’s ambition to become a central hub for artificial‑intelligence innovation [1]. The opening featured high‑profile tech leaders including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai, with participation confirmed from over 100 countries [1]. Officials highlighted the summit’s dual focus on showcasing cutting‑edge AI developments and assessing their societal implications [1].
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Issues Apology and Activates War‑Room Vaishnaw publicly apologized for the “very slow” organization, acknowledging the operational breakdowns that marred the opening [1]. He announced the creation of a dedicated “war‑room” response team to address immediate concerns and improve attendee experience for the remaining days [1]. The minister pledged that the summit would still deliver substantive discussions on AI’s benefits and risks despite the early setbacks [1].
Program Content Receives Praise Despite Operational Shortfalls Several sessions were lauded for their depth and relevance, with participants noting “excellent sessions” that explored AI’s potential across sectors [1]. Attendees cautioned that unresolved on‑ground problems could eclipse the substantive dialogue on AI’s societal impact [1]. Organizers reaffirmed their intent to evaluate both the advantages and harms of AI throughout the summit’s duration [1].
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Timeline
Dec 2025 – Over 300 pre‑summit events carry the AI Impact Summit brand across India and abroad, signalling growing momentum and stakeholder engagement ahead of the February gathering [2].
Dec 2025 – The government targets G20‑scale participation, expecting 15‑20 heads of state and roughly 100,000 delegates, to showcase India’s ambition to shape global AI governance [2].
Dec 2025 – China, France and more than a dozen other heads of state receive invitations, while leading AI firms such as Anthropic and Google DeepMind confirm attendance, underscoring the summit’s blend of policy and cutting‑edge technology [2].
Dec 2025 – IT Secretary S. Krishnan stresses that AI “should be broadly available as a horizontal technology…including infrastructure, models, and data,” and calls for a governance framework that balances cautious regulation with opportunity, especially for the Global South [2].
Feb 17, 2026 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the first Global‑South AI summit at Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, positioning India as a hub for AI innovation with participation from over 100 countries [1].
Feb 17, 2026 – Long queues, security sweeps and last‑minute hall closures leave roughly 70,000 attendees stranded, while cash‑only food stalls, limited water and theft of wearable AI products expose severe logistical failures on opening day [1].
Feb 17, 2026 – IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw apologizes, activates a “war‑room,” and describes the organization as “very slow,” pledging a dedicated response team to remedy the on‑ground problems [1].
Feb 17, 2026 – Despite the chaos, participants commend “excellent sessions,” warning that unresolved operational issues could eclipse substantive AI discussions [1].
Feb 17‑21, 2026 – Organizers commit to assessing AI’s societal impact over the five‑day summit, measuring both benefits and harms to human society in the coming days [1].