New Delhi: The India AI Impact Summit & Expo 2026, held from February 16–20 at Bharat Mandapam, positioned India as a major player in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem. With participation from over 30 countries and hundreds of startups and technology firms, the event aimed to showcase AI innovation across healthcare, agriculture, governance, and industry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while inaugurating the Expo, described it as a “powerful convergence of ideas, innovation and intent,” underlining India’s ambition to become a global AI leader. However, soon after the summit concluded, several participants raised concerns regarding event management and infrastructure.
Startup founders and attendees took to social media to highlight logistical challenges. A detailed post by tech entrepreneur Priyanshu (@0xratnakar) sparked widespread discussion.
Key concerns raised by Startup founders:
- Entry queues reportedly lasting 2–3 hours
- Repeated crashes of the registration system despite prior confirmations
- Temporary clearing of the main hall during the Prime Minister’s visit
- Exhibitors allegedly being prevented from accessing their own stalls
- A founder’s product reportedly going missing during the summit
- Lack of stable Wi-Fi at a technology-focused event, affecting live demos
- Congested networking areas
Some attendees of India AI Impact Summit & Expo 2026 also alleged that VIP delegates were given expedited entry, while startup founders waited outside in the heat.
Certain posts claimed instances of cash-only transactions at the venue, raising questions about digital payment facilitation at a flagship “Digital India” event. No official clarification has yet been issued by the organizers on these claims. With representatives from 27 countries reportedly attending, some founders expressed concern that logistical gaps could impact India’s global technology image and investor perception.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw acknowledged the large turnout and stated that corrective measures were taken to manage operational issues. A detailed official clarification from the event organizers is awaited. The episode has triggered a broader debate within the tech ecosystem — whether large-scale technology summits prioritize optics over execution, and whether operational planning matches India’s growing global ambitions in AI.
While India possesses significant talent, startup energy, and market scale, industry observers suggest that world-class execution, digital infrastructure reliability, and participant experience will be crucial for sustaining credibility on the global stage.
