What is the story about?
NEW DELHI (AP) — Galgotias University, a private institution in India, was disqualified from a prominent artificial intelligence summit in New Delhi on Wednesday
after a staff member showcased a Chinese robotic dog, claiming it was an original creation of the university. According to government officials, the university's communications professor, Neha Singh, announced on state-run broadcaster DD News that the robotic dog, named Orion, was developed by the university's Centre of Excellence, prompting the disqualification a day later.
Identification of the Robotic Dog
Internet users swiftly recognized the robot as the Unitree Go2, manufactured by China’s Unitree Robotics, which retails for approximately $1,600 and is commonly utilized in educational and research settings.University's Response
On Wednesday, Singh clarified to reporters that she did not explicitly state the robotic dog was an invention of the university but rather presented it as an exhibit.A statement released by Galgotias University expressed that they were 'deeply pained' by the incident, characterizing it as a 'propaganda campaign' that could negatively impact students' morale and their pursuit of innovation using global technologies.
Official Apology
In a subsequent statement on Wednesday, the university extended an apology for the confusion, noting that Singh, who represented the university at the summit, was not authorized to engage with the media and was 'ill-informed.'The university acknowledged that Singh was unaware of the product's technical origins and, in her eagerness during the interview, provided incorrect information.
Implications for India
The incident has raised concerns about India's reputation as it aims to establish itself as a global center for AI and advanced manufacturing, which is crucial for attracting significant investments while emphasizing credibility and local innovation.Summit Details
The AI Impact Summit commenced on Monday, although it faced organizational challenges, with attendees reporting lengthy queues and delays. Some exhibitors voiced concerns over thefts of personal belongings and displayed products, which organizers later confirmed were recovered.The summit, regarded as a flagship event in the Global South, is attended by numerous heads of state, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a session on Thursday, alongside notable figures such as Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai, Qualcomm’s CEO Cristiano Amon, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, Microsoft’s President Brad Smith, and AMI Labs Executive Chairman Yann LeCun.
