Evacuated booths, stolen AI wearables, hours without water: Startup founders call it “jail-like” at India’s flagship AI summit. What really went wrong on Day 1 of India AI Impact Summit 2026.
New Delhi: The India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi was planned as a grand event to show the world that India is becoming a global leader in Artificial Intelligence. More than 600 startups participated, 13 international pavilions were set up, and global leaders like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman attended. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the five-day summit on February 16 and called it a powerful meeting of ideas and innovation.
But what happened on the first day was very different from what was promised. Instead of smooth management and digital excellence, the event faced serious problems like poor planning, security issues, and confusion. What was meant to be a proud moment for India turned into a lesson about missed opportunities.
Big Promises vs. Reality on the Ground
The summit was promoted as the first major AI event in the Global South. It aimed to give developing countries a strong voice in AI discussions and position India as a leader in AI governance.
Over 2.5 lakh people registered for the event. Delegates from more than 27 countries came expecting a well-organized, world-class summit. However, what they experienced was disorder at an event that was supposed to represent digital excellence.
Morning Chaos: Long Queues and Confusion
People started standing in line from 7 AM in the February heat. There were problems with registration, unclear directions, and slow entry checks. Even though the gates opened around 9 AM, the situation did not improve much.
Many attendees complained on social media about:
- Poor mobile network
- No Wi-Fi at an “AI summit”
- Food stalls accepting only cash, not UPI
In a Digital India event, digital payment options were missing. Videos showing crowds pushing at entry gates and police trying to manage confused visitors quickly went viral.
The Evacuation That Disrupted Everything
Around noon, security forces asked everyone to leave the venue for “sanitization and cordoning” before the Prime Minister’s visit scheduled between 2 PM and 5 PM.
The gates remained closed until 6 PM. For nearly six hours, exhibitors and visitors were left waiting outside. Startup founders had to pack up their stalls and carry their materials out. Many had no access to water, food, or shade. Communication from organizers was poor.
Several attendees said they felt helpless and trapped during this period.
Startup Founders Faced the Biggest Loss
India’s startup community suffered the most. Romil Rungta from Bengaluru-based Yuverse said he paid a large fee to exhibit at the summit. But when the Prime Minister arrived, exhibitors were asked to vacate. Food counters were shut, and founders were left without access to their booths. He expressed frustration, saying there was no footfall and no return on investment.
Even more serious were theft allegations. Dhananjay Yadav of NeoSapien reported that their patented AI wearable devices went missing from their “high-security” booth during the lockdown period. They were earlier told that security would protect their products. He questioned how such a loss could happen if only authorized personnel were allowed inside.
Other founders shared similar frustrations. Maitreya Wagh from Bolna AI joked that it might have been easier to set up a booth in a Connaught Place café. Punit Jain from Reskilll shared the timeline of the day:
- 7 AM: Standing in queues
- 9 AM: Entry
- 12 PM: Evacuation
- Hours of waiting
- 5 PM: Prime Minister’s visit
He questioned why the startup ecosystem was invited in large numbers only to be displaced later.
Digital Event, But Analogue Problems
There were many contradictions:
- In some areas, laptops and cameras were not allowed.
- There was no Wi-Fi.
- Mobile networks were jammed, possibly for security reasons.
- Food stalls accepted only cash in a country promoting UPI.
VIP guests were given smooth access, while startup founders and general attendees waited in long queues.
International delegates from 27 countries witnessed this situation, raising concerns about India’s ability to manage global tech events smoothly.
Official Praise Despite Problems
Despite the issues, Prime Minister Modi praised the summit and highlighted India’s progress in technology. He interacted with exhibitors and showcased innovations such as Digi Yatra facial recognition technology.
Ministers and officials emphasized the large participation and international presence.
However, major media outlets reported overcrowding, poor planning, and management gaps. Public criticism was widespread.
A Bigger Issue: India’s Tech Paradox
The problems at the summit were not just about one bad day. They showed deeper issues in planning and execution.
Critics questioned:
- Why host the event in Delhi, where heavy security protocols are common, instead of Bengaluru, India’s startup hub?
- Why prioritize VIP security over the experience of innovators and builders?
Many believe India has world-class talent, but bureaucracy and focus on image sometimes affect proper execution.
One attendee said that success in the West is often about attention to detail, not just intelligence.
Financial losses for startups included travel costs, booth fees, and missed business opportunities. There was also reputational damage in front of international delegates.
India has huge potential in AI, with strong talent, a growing market, and government support. But this event showed the gap between ambition and execution.
Future improvements could include:
- Better planning and coordination
- Clear communication
- Participant-first management
- Stronger security without disrupting exhibitors
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 started with dreams of global leadership in AI. But Day 1 became a reminder that big visions need careful execution.
If the lessons from this chaos are taken seriously, India’s next tech summit can truly succeed. In the global race for AI leadership, details are just as important as dreams.
Also Read on jabalpur today: India AI Impact Summit 2026: PM Modi Positions India as Global Leader of Responsible and Inclusive AI as World Leaders and Tech CEOs Gather in New Delhi
