Indian university removed from AI summit after Chinese robot misrepresented as in-house innovation
Galgotias University was ordered to vacate its stall at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 after a robotic dog it showcased was identified as a Chinese-made product, triggering debate over transparency and India’s AI ambitions.
- Galgotias University was asked to vacate its stall at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 after a robotic dog it showcased was identified as a Chinese-made product.
- The university initially faced criticism after a professor appeared to claim the robot was developed in-house.
- The incident has sparked debate over transparency and India’s artificial intelligence ambitions.
NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Galgotias University was ordered to remove its exhibition stand from the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 18 February, 2026, after controversy erupted over a robotic dog displayed at its pavilion.
According to two government officials cited by media reports, the university was instructed to vacate its stall a day after one of its staff members appeared to claim the robot was developed in-house.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism online and cast an uncomfortable spotlight on India’s artificial intelligence ambitions, particularly at a summit billed as a flagship gathering for the Global South.
The controversy began when Neha Singh, a professor of communications at Galgotias University, spoke to state-run broadcaster DD News during the summit.
“You need to meet Orion. This has been developed by the Centre of Excellence at Galgotias University,” she said in a video clip that later circulated widely on social media.
However, users quickly identified the robot as the Go2 model produced by Unitree Robotics.
The device, known as the Unitree Go2, is commercially available for approximately US$2,800 and is widely used in research and educational settings worldwide.
The identification triggered accusations of misrepresentation and plagiarism, with critics questioning whether the university had attempted to pass off a commercially available foreign product as its own innovation.
University response and apology
On 19 February, 2026 Singh told reporters she had not explicitly claimed the robot was created by the university, stating that it was only displayed as an exhibit.
Galgotias University later issued a statement saying it was “deeply pained” by what it described as a “propaganda campaign” that could harm student morale.
In a subsequent statement on 19 February, the university apologised for the confusion and clarified that Singh had not been authorised to speak to the media.
“She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm at being on camera, gave factually incorrect information,” the statement said.
Nitin Kumar Gaur, Registrar of Galgotias University, said on 19 February 2026, that the institution had vacated its stall at the summit.
“We have already given our explanation. It was a mistake, we are sorry for that,” he said, adding that an internal investigation would be conducted to ensure such an incident was not repeated.
“If the image is ruined because of one mistake, then it is unacceptable,” he said.
Minister’s deleted post adds to embarrassment
The episode gained further attention after IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the video clip on his official social media account before the backlash intensified.
The post was later deleted, amplifying scrutiny of the incident and raising questions about vetting procedures at high-profile technology events.
Wipro’s showcase draws comparisons
The controversy widened after IT services major Wipro appeared to showcase the same Go2 model at its pavilion during the summit.
In a video interview with NDTV, a Wipro representative introduced an AI-powered robotic dog named “TJ”.
The representative highlighted the robot’s potential use in high-risk situations, such as disasters and accidents, where it could substitute for human intervention.
Online users again identified the device as the Unitree Go2. However, unlike Galgotias University, Wipro’s representative did not explicitly claim the robot had been developed in-house during the interview.
The summit, held at Bharat Mandapam, runs until 21 February 2026. It has been promoted as the first major artificial intelligence gathering hosted in the Global South.
The incident has prompted discussion over transparency, innovation standards and the pressures faced by institutions eager to showcase technological progress.
While commercially available robotic platforms are widely used in research environments globally, experts note that clear attribution remains essential to maintaining credibility in the rapidly evolving AI sector.
