'Tech event without technology': AI Impact Summit faces massive embarrassment as attendees slam mismanagement

Across social media platforms, several participants shared visuals and accounts describing chaos at the venue, alleging that the event’s planning fell short on the ground.

India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam. Photo: PIB

Attendees cited lack of functional technology and poor communication among the key grievances at the summit, which was attended by global tech leaders including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang.

A digital creator named Madhumita shared her experience on Instagram, claiming she struggled to find internet connectivity and that laptops and cameras were not allowed inside the venue.

"It's a tech event where tech itself was banned. There was no working Wi-Fi, no internet. Most products failed because of poor network," she said in an Instagram video, also alleging that stalls were vacated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit due to security arrangements.

Another Instagram user with the username openletteryt echoed similar complaints, claiming there was no Wi-Fi or internet connectivity and that food stalls were accepting only cash payments.

"India is being defamed at the international level. Only cash is accepted in Digital India's food counter... A tech summit where laptops are not allowed. Passes were issued more than the permissions granted and excess people were barred from entry eventually," the user said.

Rayan Malhotra, who identified himself as an entrepreneur, compared the situation to the Messi-related chaos that unfolded at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata recently.

Calling the summit a "hyped event," Malhotra alleged that attendees were asked to vacate halls due to security arrangements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on the first day.

"If I had known Modi-ji was coming (so we would be moved out of the halls), I wouldn't have attended the summit today," he said.

One X user, Kritika Kapoor, said there was little evidence of AI implementation at the summit beyond promotional displays.

Journalist Aditi Agrawal also highlighted connectivity issues at the summit.

Another attendee criticised the lack of AI-driven features and poor event infrastructure.