Galgotias University robodog row fallout: Exhibitors told to display only original innovations at AI Summit

Amid a raging row over a Chinese-built robodog being showcased as an Indian innovation by a leading private university, the government on Wednesday categorically stated that exhibitors at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit must not display items that are not theirs.

The remarks have been made by IT Secretary S Krishnan, while reacting to the news on Galgotias University’s China-made robotic dog displayed at the Delhi AI Summit.

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The remarks came as the Galgotias University staff and officials vacated their exhibition area at the India AI Impact Summit Expo. It was reported that the university was asked to vacate the expo stall.

The development came as the varsity staff claimed its staff’s remarks on the robodog had been misinterpreted.

Galgotias University Registrar Nitin Kumar Gaur was quoted as saying by news agency ANI that the confusion stemmed from the use of words “develop” and “development”. Gaur said the university had not developed the robot but had worked on its development.

Power disconnected at Galgotias University stall after China-made robodog row; staff vacate AI Summit expo

“This is a jumble of two words, develop, and development. We didn’t develop it. We worked on its development… We want to bring them, just like that robot was brought, and an effort was made to get students to do research on it,” Gaur said.

Referring to Professor Neha Singh viral remarks wherein she introduced the robodog as ‘Orion’ during the expo, Gaur stated: “I can say that perhaps she might have been confused by the words ‘develop’ and ‘development’ in the flow. But the truth is that we bought this robot for children’s research… If China is making the claim, then maybe it (robodog) could have been bought from China….”

Professor Neha also denied that she had sought to project the robodog as university’s creation.

“We have never claimed that it is ours, Indian, or Galgotian. Its main branding is still on it. The robot that had come for a particular task has gone there for the children’s study, for the children’s research and development. Our centre, our campus — it has gone into the children’s lab. It was here for two days for projection; the projection has been completed,” she stated.

Galgotias University asked to vacate AI Summit stall after China-made robodog row; professors cite ‘misinterpretation’

“By one misinterpretation, the internet has gone by storm. It might be that I could not convey well what I wanted to say, or it was misunderstood. I am a faculty member in communications at the School of Management, not in AI,” the professor added.

The university, amid severe online and offline criticism over the issue, had alleged “propaganda” against it.

The five-day India AI Impact Summit started on Monday and is set to conclude on Friday. The summit has brought together policymakers, technology companies, innovators, academia, and industry leaders, and seeks to translate global AI deliberations into actionable development outcomes under the IndiaAI Mission and the Digital India initiative.