AI Impact Summit kicked off in New Delhi with participation from global AI leaders including OpenAI, Alphabet, and Anthropic, as top executives travel to India to explore one of the world’s fastest-growing AI markets. However, the summit faced organizational challenges on its opening day, with attendees reporting long queues, overcrowding, and unclear instructions at the venue. Delegates said some sessions could not accommodate all participants, while others struggled to access booths and reclaim possessions after the building was cleared for security sweeps for high-level arrivals.
Journalists covering the event faced additional hurdles due to confusion over digital QR codes, physical passes, and limited seating for reporting. Social media posts highlighted frustration from participants, including startup founders whose booths were inaccessible. The summit, which runs through February 20, expects roughly 250,000 attendees.
Narendra Modi’s government is positioning the summit as a platform to amplify the role of developing nations in global AI governance. However, the disarray on the first day has drawn criticism and could overshadow messaging on India’s technological ambitions. Officials from India’s IT ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
