During the India AI Impact Summit, a robotic dog named “Orion” was introduced as a highlight of Galgotias University’s exhibition. However, within hours, the university faced intense scrutiny after social media users identified the robot as a Chinese-made unit. The controversy escalated, leading to the university vacating its stall and issuing an apology. The robot was promoted as an advanced innovation developed in Greater Noida but was quickly recognized as resembling the Unitree Go2, a model produced by China’s Unitree Robotics, which is available globally for approximately Rs 2–3 lakh.

Public Reaction and Political Implications

The revelation that a foreign product was presented as a domestic creation drew ridicule and criticism from various quarters. Observers accused the university of misrepresenting the nature of the technology at an event aimed at highlighting India’s capabilities in artificial intelligence. The situation prompted officials to order the university to leave its exhibition space. Reports indicated that power to the pavilion was cut off before the team departed.

Government Stance on Misinformation

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology expressed the importance of showcasing genuine innovations at such events. Secretary S Krishnan stated that the government sought to avoid any misinformation and implied that a clear code of conduct was required at expos to prevent scandals regarding displayed technologies. Abhishek Singh, the Additional Secretary, reaffirmed that the intention was not to inhibit innovation but to ensure that the exhibits accurately represented their origins.

University’s Initial Response and Damage Control

Initially, Galgotias University defended its presence at the summit, asserting that it did not claim to have developed the robot. The university characterized the backlash as a “propaganda campaign” and emphasized its mission to expose students to global technology. They asserted that using such technologies was crucial for developing real-world skills in artificial intelligence.

Clarifications and Apology Issued

As criticism mounted, the university’s stance evolved throughout the day. Registrar Nitin Kumar Gaur attempted to clarify what he termed a “jumble” in communication about the robot. He indicated that the university had “worked on its development” for educational purposes and clarified that the machine had been procured to aid student research. Professor Neha Singh also contended that her comments had been misinterpreted, acknowledging that she may not have been clear during her introduction.

Formal Apology and Shift in Tone

By the end of the day, Galgotias University had shifted its approach significantly and issued a formal apology. The institution admitted that the representative present at the exhibit was “ill-informed” regarding the robot’s origins and had inadvertently provided “factually incorrect information.” The university emphasized that there was never any intent to mislead and complied with organizers’ requests to vacate the venue in light of the growing controversy.

Political Leaders Weigh In

The fallout from the incident caught the attention of opposition politicians, including Rahul Gandhi, who labeled the AI Summit as a poorly organized public relations spectacle. He criticized the showcasing of Chinese products at an event intended to project India’s ambitions in artificial intelligence.

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