What was meant to be India's moment on the global AI stage turned into a nightmare of mismanagement on Monday as the India AI Summit 2026 descended into chaos—prompting a rare apology from Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and sharp political attacks from the Congress.

On Day 1 of the five-day summit at Bharat Mandapam, over 70,000 attendees—including startup founders, tech innovators, and international delegates—were left stranded in serpentine queues for hours, while reports of stolen prototypes, failed internet connectivity, and cash-only food stalls triggered widespread outrage on social media .

'If Anyone Faced Problems, We Apologise': Vaishnaw

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Vaishnaw acknowledged the scale of the disaster candidly. "This is the world's biggest AI summit. The response was phenomenal—more than 70,000 people turned up on Day 1. But if anyone faced problems yesterday, we apologise for that," he said .

The Minister assured that a 24x7 "war room" has been activated for real-time monitoring and urged attendees to share feedback. "We are open-minded. We will make efforts to make the experience smoother and enjoyable for all of you," he added .

'Extreme Distress': Founders Locked Out, Products Stolen

The summit's opening day was marked by scenes that many founders described as humiliating. Attendees reported waiting up to three hours at entry gates, only to be evacuated from halls during security sweeps ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit .

Maitreya Wagh, co-founder of AI voice startup Bolna, tweeted that he couldn't access his own booth. "Gates are closed so could not access my own booth at the AI Summit. If you're also stuck outside, DM me," he posted, suggesting an impromptu meeting point at a Connaught Place café .

The most serious allegation came from Dhananjay Yadav, CEO of AI wearable startup Neo Sapien. Yadav claimed that when he and his team were asked to vacate their stall for security checks, they were assured their belongings would be safe. Upon returning hours later, their AI wearables—expensive prototypes brought for demonstration—had vanished.

"We paid for flights, accommodation, logistics and even the booth, only to see our wearables disappear inside a high-security zone. This is extremely disappointing," Yadav wrote .

Ironies at a 'Digital India' Event: No Internet, Cash Only

In a cruel twist for a technology summit, attendees reported that Wi-Fi was non-functional and mobile networks were patchy, forcing food stalls to accept only cash—excluding international delegates and those without physical currency .

Punit Jain, founder of Reskill, captured the frustration: "An AI Summit that sidelines its own builders? 7 am: Queues, 9 am: Entry, 12 pm: Full evacuation. Meanwhile, exhibitors, delegates, and startup founders left outside. No water. No clarity. If access was limited to select high-value guests, just say it upfront. Don't mobilise the ecosystem and then displace it" .

Prohibited items included laptops, bags, cameras, and even water bottles—leaving attendees unable to work or even stay hydrated .

Congress Strikes: 'PR-Hungry Government'

The opposition was quick to capitalise on the fiasco. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a blistering attack, calling the summit "utter chaos and rank mismanagement by this PR-hungry government."

"What could have been a showpiece AI Summit for the entire world, demonstrating India's digital capabilities, has turned into global embarrassment," Kharge posted on X. He alleged that exhibitors were left without food and water, products were stolen, and the Prime Minister "gatecrashed for a photo opportunity" while founders suffered .

Kharge also pointed to the irony of cash-only payments at a "Digital India" event and suggested the Centre learn from the smoothly-run Bengaluru Tech Summit .

What Went Wrong? The Day in Numbers

The scale of the disaster is evident from the numbers. Over 70,000 attendees overwhelmed a venue seemingly unprepared for such crowds. The registration system crashed multiple times. Entry gates were sealed for six hours (12 pm to 6 pm) during VIP movements. Founders with paid stalls were locked out. International delegates faced hunger because they had no cash .

Reuters reported that even journalists spent much of the day seeking clarity on entry procedures, with confusion over digital QR codes and physical passes .

The Bigger Picture: A 'War Room' and Wounded Pride

Despite the chaos, the India AI Impact Summit 2026 remains a landmark event—the first global AI gathering hosted in the Global South, with over 20 heads of state and tech leaders like Sundar Pichai and Sam Altman expected to attend .

Vaishnaw has promised that the war room will address issues in real time, and organisers insist arrangements are now smooth. But for many founders, the damage runs deeper.

As one attendee posted on X: "The Impact AI Summit in Delhi was a perfect demonstration of why India keeps losing in tech. Cash-only payments at a 'Digital India' event, exhibitors locked out of stalls, three-hour entry queues. Unless we get the basics right, we cannot claim to be utilising AI to its fullest" .

For now, the government's apology has been accepted cautiously—but the industry will be watching closely whether the remaining four days redeem India's AI moment.

The world has descended upon India's capital as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the landmark India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam this morning, transforming Delhi into the global epicentre of artificial intelligence discussions for the next five days.

In a historic first for the Global South, the summit has drawn delegations from over 45 countries, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Tech giants Microsoft, IBM, Zoom, and Adobe have sent their top leadership, while Bill Gates touched down in Andhra Pradesh yesterday for related engagements ahead of the main event.

PM Modi Sets the Tone: "AI Must Serve Humanity"

Welcoming global leaders ahead of the formal inauguration, PM Modi emphasised that India's approach to artificial intelligence remains rooted in its cultural ethos. The summit's theme—"Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya" (welfare for all, happiness for all)—reflects New Delhi's vision that AI must prioritise human welfare above all.

"Thanks to the 1.4 billion people of India, our nation stands at the forefront of the AI transformation," the Prime Minister remarked. "From digital public infrastructure to a vibrant startup ecosystem and cutting-edge research, our strides in AI reflect both ambition and responsibility."

Modi attributed the extraordinary global turnout to India's rising technological influence and, significantly, to the capabilities of the country's youth. "This also shows the capability of our country's young population," he added.

What's on the Five-Day Agenda?

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 isn't just about high-profile speeches—it's structured for concrete outcomes. Day one focuses on leadership dialogues and the inaugural plenary. Days two and three will dive into technical sessions on foundation models, computing infrastructure, and sectoral AI applications in healthcare, agriculture, and education.

The final two days are reserved for startup showcases, bilateral meetings, and the AI Impact Expo—a sprawling 70,000 square metre exhibition space where visitors can interact with AI-enabled automotive prototypes, robotic surgical systems, and India-focused innovations already approved for deployment.

India's ₹10,372 Crore Bet on AI

Under the ambitious IndiaAI Mission, the government has committed substantial resources to build a self-reliant AI ecosystem. Key highlights include:

- 38,000+ GPUs added for shared computing access

- 12 indigenous foundation models currently under development

- 30+ India-focused AI applications already approved for implementation

- Thousands of undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students receiving research support

This infrastructure push aims to position India not merely as an AI consumer but as a significant rule-setter in how artificial intelligence evolves globally.

Expert Voices: Jobs, Productivity, and the Future

Industry leaders at the summit struck an optimistic chord about AI's impact on employment and society:

Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder of Info Edge, offered reassurance to worried professionals: "AI isn't eliminating jobs, but rather increasing productivity." His advice to young people was direct—embrace AI tools or risk being left behind.

Harish Krishnan from Cisco Systems India highlighted the intergenerational impact: "AI is improving society for generations to come and helping to enhance human capabilities."

Vineet Nayar, former CEO of HCL Technologies, presented a balanced view: while AI will impact 50% of jobs, it will simultaneously create 50% of new employment opportunities.

Tejpreet Chopra, Co-Chairperson of the CII National AI Forum, stressed the technology's integration into daily life: "From healthcare and agriculture to education and governance, AI is making everything easier. Instead of taking away jobs, AI will create new roles, foster entrepreneurship, and prepare the workforce of the future."

Why This Summit Matters Right Now

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 arrives at a crucial juncture. As nations scramble to regulate AI while fostering innovation, India is positioning itself as the natural bridge between advanced economies and the developing world.

For the Global South, this summit represents something unprecedented—a chance to shape AI's trajectory rather than simply react to decisions made elsewhere. India's emphasis on inclusion, accessibility, and sustainable development offers an alternative framework to purely profit-driven AI models.

Online interest has surged dramatically, with "India Impact AI Summit 2026" rapidly climbing Google Trends as global attention turns to New Delhi. And understandably so—if artificial intelligence is indeed defining humanity's future, many of the people building and regulating that future are currently gathered under one roof at Bharat Mandapam.

The five-day event continues through February 20, with expectations running high for concrete partnerships and policy frameworks to emerge from what may prove the most significant technology summit hosted in South Asia this decade.