Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, apologised for the inconvenience faced by participants on the opening day of the India AI Impact Summit. The event, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, saw heavy crowds that led to confusion and long waiting times.
At a press conference at the venue, Mr. Vaishnaw said the response to the summit on Monday, February 16, was “phenomenal,” with a very large number of attendees turning up. He acknowledged that the high turnout created logistical challenges but assured that corrective measures had been taken to improve arrangements for the remaining days of the event.
Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Modi government, calling the situation “utter chaos and rank mismanagement.” He questioned the planning and organisation of such a large international event.
The five-day summit has drawn policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and students from across the country and abroad to discuss developments in artificial intelligence and its future impact. Organisers said additional staff, better crowd management, and improved entry systems have now been put in place to ensure a smoother experience for all participants.