Galgotias University has vacated its stall at the India AI Impact Summit after a controversy erupted over a Chinese-made robotic dog being presented as a campus innovation, with Union information technology (IT) minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirming that action had been taken over 'wrongdoing' at the exhibition. In
a statement posted on X, Galgotias University says it has vacated the premises, 'understanding' the sentiments of the organisers.
The row began on Tuesday when a University representative described a robotic dog named ‘Orion’ as an invention of the institution’s Centre of Excellence while explaining its features and technical capabilities to media persons. In a video interaction with State-run broadcaster DD News, Neha Singh, a professor of communications, introduced the machine as having been developed by the University.
The clip quickly went viral. Social media users identified the robot as the Go2, an AI-enabled quadruped developed by Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics. The Unitree Go2 is a commercially available robotic platform priced at about US$2,800 and is widely used by research labs and educational institutions around the world.
Media reports quoting sources say the University was instructed to pack up and leave the AI Expo following the controversy. Expo officials are seen placing barricades in front of the Galgotias pavilion at the exhibition venue, signalling that organisers had acted after the issue escalated.
However, individuals representing the University at the stall initially maintained that they had not been formally informed about being asked to vacate and stated they are continuing their participation. Earlier in the day, the stall had remained open, with University officials responding to allegations of plagiarism and misrepresentation.
The summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and has been projected as a landmark AI gathering in the Global South.
Amid mounting criticism and political sparring, Mr Vaishnaw addressed the media on Wednesday, stating that while the exhibition featured several noteworthy AI solutions, any misconduct had been dealt with promptly.
“In the artificial intelligence exhibition, many good solutions have been presented. If anyone has done wrong, immediate action has been taken against the wrongdoing. However, one should look at other good AI solutions also,” the minister says.
Mr Vaishnaw had earlier shared the video clip featuring the robotic dog on his official social media account, amplifying its reach before deleting the post as the controversy intensified.
Following the row over the display of a Chinese-made robodog at the AI Impact Summit expo,
Galgotias University, in its statement, says, "We at Galgotias University wish to apologise profusely for the confusion created at the recent AI Summit. One of our representatives, manning the pavilion, was ill-informed. She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information even though she was not authorised to speak to the press... Understanding the organiser's sentiment, we have vacated the premises."
Earlier, facing backlash,
Galgotias University issued a statement on X asserting that it had neither built the robotic dog nor claimed authorship of it. The institution described the episode as a case of exaggeration and misinterpretation, emphasising that its objective was to expose students to cutting-edge global technologies in line with the government’s broader innovation mission.
The University says the Go2 robot had been procured as part of its academic initiatives and was being used as a hands-on learning tool. It maintained that acquiring advanced systems from global innovation hubs was intended to equip students with practical knowledge and inspire indigenous development in the future.
“Innovation knows no borders. Learning should not either,” the University says, adding that its focus remained on nurturing talent capable of designing and manufacturing advanced technologies within India.
The controversy has provided ammunition to the opposition, with the Indian National Congress accusing the government of mishandling India’s AI aspirations.
“The Modi government has made a laughing stock of India globally with regard to AI,” the party says on social media, referring to the robotic dog episode.
The political heat comes as prime minister (PM) Narendra Modi and global technology leaders, including Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman and Dario Amodei, are scheduled to address the summit.
Despite the controversy, the summit has seen significant announcements, with over US$100bn (billion) in AI-related investments reportedly pledged. Commitments have come from major players such as the Adani group, Microsoft and data centre operator Yotta.
At the same time, delegates have flagged issues of overcrowding and logistical gaps at the venue since the event opened.
The robotic dog controversy, however, has overshadowed many of the positive announcements. At a summit designed to project India as a serious and original force in artificial intelligence (AI), the episode has intensified scrutiny over how institutions showcase innovation on high-profile national platforms.
With barricades now marking the former Galgotias pavilion space, the incident underscores the reputational risks associated with overstated claims in a sector where credibility and technical authenticity are central to global standing.
