'Some glitches happen at large events': Shashi Tharoor praises AI Summit, says it has gone 'extremely well'

Shashi Tharoor

• Tharoor praised India AI Impact Summit's impressive global turnout
• Minor organisational issues noted but event seen as successful
• University's robotic dog at Summit sparks controversy

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Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday commended the ongoing India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, describing its opening days as largely successful despite minor organisational hiccups.

“Though I have not had the chance to go to the summit, I am speaking there on Friday. From what I understand, these first couple of days have gone extremely well. There have been some glitches, some organisational things, these things happen in a large event,” Tharoor told reporters after the launch of his new book on Narayana Guru.

The summit, being held from February 16 to 20, is the first global AI gathering hosted in the Global South. It has drawn policymakers, industry leaders, academics, technology innovators and civil society representatives from around the world to deliberate on the future of artificial intelligence.

Tharoor emphasised the scale and stature of participation at the event. "But by and large what has been impressive is the attendance... a number of presidents, prime ministers, and world leaders are here, and they've come with a strong message of wanting to see a newly integrated world in AI development, where the impact upon society would be the principle," he said.

"Preoccupation in India has clearly led the drive in this area," he added.

His remarks come a day after senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the summit, calling it a "disorganised PR spectacle" and alleging that Chinese products were being showcased. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other party leaders have also raised concerns, claiming that alleged mismanagement had caused embarrassment for the country.

The opening day of the summit on February 17 saw reports of long queues, heavy footfall and logistical issues. Visitors said several gates were shut without clear instructions from security personnel. Organisers indicated that arrangements improved over the following two days, February 18 and 19.

The event also witnessed controversy involving Greater Noida based Galgotias University, which was asked to vacate its expo space after online backlash over a robotic dog named “Orion.” During the summit, university representatives and a professor were filmed claiming the robot was an in house innovation.