Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday apologised to attendees who faced disruptions on the opening day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, calling the turnout “phenomenal” while acknowledging logistical strain.
🤝 Global leaders unite to make AI accountable to society.
✅ Building consensus on the right use of AI for humanity.📍AI Impact Summit 2026, New Delhi pic.twitter.com/WxDHvFNQhG
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 17, 2026
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Speaking at a press conference at Bharat Mandapam, the venue hosting the event, Vaishnaw said more than 70,000 people attended on the first day alone.
“This is the biggest AI Summit in the world. The response was phenomenal. The energy is palpable. We can see the organisation is very smooth now. If anybody has faced any problems yesterday, we apologise for that,” he said.
He further added: “Whatever feedback you have, please share with us. We are open-minded. We will make efforts to make the experience smoother and enjoyable for all of you. We have a war room which has been operating since yesterday. My entire team is working hard day and night for this summit.”
Heavy Turnout Triggers Delays and Security Bottlenecks
The AI Impact Summit, billed as one of the world’s largest artificial intelligence gatherings, drew startup founders, global technology firms and international delegates.
Exhibitors reported temporary evacuations of stalls during security sweeps, sometimes without clarity on when they would regain access. (Photo: PIB)
However, the unprecedented footfall led to congestion at entry gates, overlapping security checks and extended wait times. Several participants were advised to arrive early due to heightened security arrangements, especially around the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Exhibitors reported temporary evacuations of stalls during security sweeps, sometimes without clarity on when they would regain access. Consequently, pockets of confusion persisted throughout the day.
Organisers later stated that corrective measures were implemented in real time to improve crowd flow and coordination.
Founder Alleges Wearable Devices Went Missing
Amid the excitement and disruption, Dhananjay Yadav, co-founder and CEO of Neo Sapien, alleged that wearable devices meant for demonstration went missing following a sudden evacuation before the Prime Minister’s arrival.
“The opening day turned into a pain,” Yadav said.
He added: “We paid for flights, accommodation, logistics and even the booth, only to see our devices disappear inside a high-security zone.”
Calling the episode “extremely disappointing,” Yadav highlighted the financial and operational stress on early-stage startups participating in high-profile events.
‘No Clear Communication,’ Say Exhibitors
Punit Jain, founder of Reskill, said exhibitors and delegates were left waiting outside the halls for hours without clarity.
“If access was limited to select guests, it should have been communicated upfront. This is not how we build India’s AI future,” he said.
Similarly, entrepreneur Priyanshu Ratnakar criticised what he described as “optics over execution,” citing long queues, intermittent Wi-Fi connectivity, repeated registration glitches and limited seating during peak hours.
“VIPs walked past massive queues while founders stood outside. It showed a lack of respect for builders,” he said.
Organisers Promise Smoother Experience Ahead
Despite the rocky start, organisers have positioned the summit — running until February 20 — as a landmark platform aimed at shaping global AI discourse and amplifying voices from emerging economies.
While Day 1 exposed logistical gaps, officials maintain that crowd management and coordination have improved significantly. Many exhibitors have expressed cautious optimism about stronger engagement and smoother operations in the remaining sessions.
