Congress Condemns Government Over AI Summit Mismanagement
The Congress party on Tuesday launched a sharp critique of the Central government regarding the alleged mismanagement at the ongoing AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Party President Mallikarjun Kharge described the situation as an example of a "PR hungry" government that has transformed a significant global opportunity into "utter chaos."
Kharge's Social Media Post Highlights Distress
In a detailed post on social media platform X, Kharge expressed his disappointment, stating that what should have been a landmark moment for India's leadership in digital technology and artificial intelligence has instead resulted in widespread distress for attendees. "What could have been a showpiece AI Summit for the entire world demonstrating the digital & AI capabilities of India, has reportedly turned into utter chaos and rank mismanagement by this 'PR hungry' government!" he wrote.
The Congress chief alleged that numerous issues plagued the event, particularly on its opening day. "Founders, exhibitors and visitors - all face extreme distress due to the PM gatecrashing for a photo opportunity on the very first day," Kharge claimed.
List of Complaints and Allegations
Kharge provided a comprehensive list of grievances reported by participants:
- Exhibitors were left without adequate food and water supplies.
- Instances of product theft were reported.
- The Digi Yatra system experienced significant failures.
- Restrictions were placed on laptops, personal electronic devices, and bags.
- Only cash payments were accepted instead of digital or UPI options.
- Founders were required to pay substantial sums without access to basic facilities.
He characterized the situation as a national embarrassment, stating, "It is extremely unfortunate that our country has to suffer this global embarrassment due to the incompetency of our own government."
Suggested Alternative: Bengaluru Tech Summit
Kharge proposed that the Central government could learn from successful state-level events. "Perhaps the Modi Govt should learn from the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) which is an annual feature in smoothly organising such large scale Digital & Tech congregations," he suggested.
About the AI Impact Summit
The AI Impact Summit, which commenced on Monday at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, is being promoted as the world's largest artificial intelligence gathering. This five-day event, running from February 16 to 20, has attracted thousands of participants including technology leaders, policymakers, startup founders, and industry experts from around the globe.
High-Profile Participation and Objectives
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit, which features participation from more than 20 heads of state and government, including France's Emmanuel Macron and Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Technology luminaries such as OpenAI's Sam Altman and Google's Sundar Pichai are also scheduled to attend various sessions.
The summit aims to develop a shared roadmap for global AI governance and collaboration, focusing on the themes of "People, Planet, and Progress." India is positioning itself as a central hub for digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence, advocating for broader access to AI technologies and the establishment of global AI commons.
Observations from the Ground
Journalists at the venue reported long queues outside session halls, attributed to packed schedules and overwhelming demand. Organizers acknowledged that registrations exceeded expectations, reflecting the growing global interest in AI infrastructure, enterprise adoption, and governance frameworks.
While there were reports of logistical challenges due to heavy footfall and multiple parallel sessions running simultaneously, the event has maintained strong participation levels. Panel discussions and exhibitions have drawn substantial crowds, indicating significant engagement with the summit's themes.
The government has emphasized that this summit represents a crucial opportunity to showcase India's digital public infrastructure, engineering talent, and its ambitions to lead international conversations on responsible and inclusive AI development.
