Indian University Kicked Out of AI Summit for Claiming Chinese Robot Dog as Own

Published: 19 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

In a bizarre episode at a high‑profile artificial intelligence conference in New Delhi, an Indian university was ordered to leave the event after one of its representatives appeared to present a Chinese‑made robot dog as an innovation developed on campus, triggering widespread criticism and embarrassment for organisers and officials.

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, staff from Galgotias University showcased a quadruped robotic dog branded “Orion” at their exhibition stall, telling media and visitors that it was developed by the university’s Centre of Excellence. However, sharp‑eyed attendees and social media users quickly identified the device as a Chinese‑manufactured Unitree Go2 — a commercially available robotic platform sold online, not a homegrown innovation.

A video of the presentation went viral after a professor made the claims on camera, sparking a backlash and prompting summit organisers to ask the university to vacate its stall and leave the event. The controversy was amplified when the video was briefly shared by India’s Electronics and IT Minister on social media before being deleted amid mounting criticism.

The incident has been widely mocked online and condemned by opposition politicians, who said it undermined India’s efforts to showcase genuine advances in AI and technology at a gathering intended to position the country as a major player in the field. Critics accused the organisers of poor vetting and questioned how a foreign‑built product came to be presented as an indigenous breakthrough in such a prominent forum.

Galgotias University later issued a clarification, insisting that it never claimed to have manufactured the robot and that the device was brought in as part of research and teaching aids for students to interact with advanced technology. University officials said the misunderstanding stemmed from a communication error and emphasised that they were investing in AI education rather than claiming product ownership.

Nonetheless, the row has become a major talking point of the summit, casting a shadow over the event’s objectives and raising questions about transparency, research credibility and academic promotion at tech showcases. Observers say the controversy highlights the challenges India faces in fostering homegrown innovation while competing on the global AI stage

Read More At>>