New Delhi, February 17, 2026: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday expressed regret over the logistical disruptions that marked the opening day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, assuring participants that corrective steps have been put in place to ensure a more seamless experience in the days ahead.
The summit, billed as the world’s largest gathering on artificial intelligence, commenced on Monday at Bharat Mandapam and witnessed an overwhelming turnout. However, the massive footfall led to extended queues, overcrowded entry points, unclear movement instructions, and inconsistent mobile data connectivity.
Speaking to the media at the venue, Vaishnaw acknowledged the inconvenience faced by attendees. “The response to the summit has been extraordinary, with over 70,000 participants on the first day. If anyone experienced difficulties, we sincerely apologise,” he said. He added that arrangements had since been streamlined and that a dedicated “war room” was now operational to quickly address issues raised by delegates.
Connectivity and Crowd Management Concerns
Despite assurances, mobile data services remained inconsistent on Tuesday, according to attendees present at the venue. Participants had flagged patchy internet connectivity and Wi-Fi issues, which complicated digital registrations and coordination.
The heavy turnout included startup founders, international tech leaders, policy experts, and investors. Security arrangements ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the exhibition area further intensified congestion, with some sections temporarily cleared and access restricted during sanitisation protocols.
Several exhibitors reported confusion over movement instructions and booth access during security lockdown periods. Temporary evacuation of certain stalls added to the sense of disorder among participants on Monday.
Startup Founders Raise Concerns
Some entrepreneurs publicly shared their dissatisfaction with the handling of arrangements. Dhananjay Yadav, CEO of Neo Sapien, alleged that AI wearables displayed at his booth went missing after he was asked to vacate the exhibition area ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit. According to his account, security personnel advised exhibitors to leave equipment behind, assuring them of safety within the secured zone. Upon return, he claimed that the devices were no longer at the stall.
Yadav expressed disappointment over the loss, stating that the startup had invested significantly in travel, logistics, and booth participation. He questioned how items could disappear from a restricted area with limited access.
Other founders also voiced frustration about long waiting times, lack of drinking water in certain zones, and registration glitches. Punit Jain, founder of Reskill, initially criticised the event’s management, describing the first day as poorly coordinated. However, he later noted improvements in access control and crowd management on the second day.
Entrepreneur Priyanshu Ratnakar highlighted concerns about overcrowding and temporary lockouts faced by exhibitors, suggesting that better coordination and communication were needed for such large-scale events.
Government Assures Corrective Measures
Responding to the criticism, organisers stated that continuous adjustments were made throughout Monday to manage congestion and improve coordination. Additional volunteers, security personnel, and digital support teams were deployed to facilitate smoother entry and movement.
Vaishnaw reiterated that the government remains open to feedback. “We are open-minded and welcome suggestions. Our team is working round the clock to enhance the experience for everyone,” he said.
He emphasised that hosting an event of this magnitude, with international participation and high-security protocols, presents complex operational challenges. Nonetheless, he assured that lessons from the opening day were being acted upon immediately.
Focus Remains on AI Innovation
Despite the early hiccups, the summit continues to draw significant attention for its focus on artificial intelligence innovation, policy dialogue, and industry collaboration. The multi-day event features exhibitions, panel discussions, startup showcases, and international partnerships aimed at strengthening India’s AI ecosystem.
Organisers expressed confidence that with improved coordination and expanded logistical arrangements, the remaining days of the summit would proceed more smoothly.
As India positions itself as a major player in global AI development, the India AI Impact Summit 2026 remains a high-profile platform — one that has begun with overwhelming enthusiasm but also important lessons in managing scale and execution.
No Comments: