New Delhi’s ambitious India AI Impact Summit has turned into a spectacle of mismanagement, according to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Speaking out on Tuesday, Kharge accused the Modi government of plunging the event into complete disarray, leaving participants frustrated and embarrassed on the global stage.
The summit, hosted at Bharat Mandapam from February 16-20, promised to showcase India’s prowess in digital innovation and artificial intelligence. Instead, attendees are grappling with bizarre restrictions and logistical nightmares. Personal electronic devices, laptops, and even bags are banned, forcing reliance on cash payments in an era of digital transactions.
Kharge highlighted the irony on social media platform X: ‘What could have been a showpiece for India’s AI and digital capabilities worldwide has been reduced to utter chaos and gross mismanagement by this PR-hungry government.’ He pointed to long queues just for a glimpse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on day one, depriving founders, exhibitors, and visitors of basic comforts.
Exhibitors report severe shortages of food and water, rampant theft of products, and failed digital navigation systems. ‘Founders are shelling out huge sums without basic facilities,’ Kharge noted, calling it ‘deeply unfortunate’ that India faces international ridicule due to governmental incompetence.
In a pointed suggestion, Kharge urged the government to take lessons from the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS), an annual event that flawlessly organizes large-scale digital and tech programs. The MEA describes the AI Summit as built on three pillars—People, Planet, and Progress—aiming to foster global collaboration with over 45 countries’ delegations, UN Secretary-General, and top international leaders.
Yet, the event’s execution has overshadowed its potential. As global experts convene to shape AI’s future, the disorganization risks undermining India’s leadership ambitions in this critical field. Kharge’s critique underscores a broader narrative of governance failures in high-profile national initiatives.