Vaishnaw Seeks Feedback After AI Summit Trouble; Kharge Calls It Embarrassing
AI Summit Row: Vaishnaw Says Sorry, Kharge Calls It Administrative Failure: A political controversy erupted after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge strongly criticized the government over the handling of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, calling it a “global embarrassment.”
Kharge alleged that what was meant to be a grand showcase of India’s digital strength and artificial intelligence capabilities turned into chaos due to poor planning and what he described as a “PR-hungry” approach by the government. According to him, founders, exhibitors, and visitors faced significant inconvenience, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly made a sudden visit to the venue on the opening day.
The Congress leader claimed exhibitors were denied basic amenities like food and water, and that security restrictions were so strict that laptops, personal electronic devices, and even bags were not allowed inside. He also alleged that some products were stolen and that the Digi Yatra system failed to function smoothly.
Further raising concerns, Kharge said digital and UPI payments were not being accepted at certain points, with cash reportedly being the only mode of payment. He added that founders were being charged significant amounts despite the lack of basic facilities.
Kharge Criticises Govt Handling of AI Summit; Minister Promises Improvements
“It is very sad that our country is facing such embarrassment on a global platform because of the government’s incompetence,” Kharge said, suggesting that the Centre should take lessons from the Bengaluru Tech Summit, which he described as a well-organized annual technology event.
Responding to the criticism, Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw apologized to attendees who faced inconvenience during the first day of the summit. He acknowledged the challenges but emphasized that the overwhelming turnout reflected strong enthusiasm for AI in India.
Vaishnaw said more than 70,000 people attended the summit on the opening day, calling the response “wonderful” and highlighting the visible excitement among visitors, industry leaders, and exhibitors. He assured that the government remains open to feedback and is committed to improving the overall experience in future editions.
While the summit demonstrated India’s growing interest and ambition in artificial intelligence, the sharp political exchange has shifted part of the spotlight from innovation to organization — turning what was meant to be a celebration of technology into a heated debate over management and accountability.
