ALBAWABA- Galgotias University was ordered to vacate its exhibition stall at the AI Impact Summit 2026 after presenting a Chinese-manufactured robotic dog as an indigenous technological development, sparking widespread criticism and embarrassment at the high-profile event.
The Greater Noida-based institution showcased a quadruped robot branded as “Orion,” with a university representative stating in a televised interview that it had been developed by the university’s Centre of Excellence.
However, social media users quickly identified the machine as the Unitree Go2, a commercially available robotic dog produced by China’s Unitree Robotics and retailing for roughly $2,200.
As the controversy gained traction online, India’s IT Secretary S. Krishnan cautioned exhibitors against misrepresenting products at the summit.
University officials subsequently shut down their stall. Galgotias University later issued a public apology, attributing the incident to an “ill-informed” representative and acknowledging the misrepresentation.
The episode cast a shadow over the inaugural AI Impact Summit, held at Bharat Mandapam and promoted as the first major artificial intelligence gathering in the Global South.
The event has drawn more than 250,000 participants from over 100 countries to discuss AI governance, innovation, and global collaboration.
The summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and features prominent technology leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
Among the attending world leaders are Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Bolivian Vice President Edmand Lara Montano, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
