Centre Warns Against Misinformation After Galgotias Robotic Dog Controversy at AI Summit
New Delhi:
The Central government has stressed that technology exhibitions must showcase authentic and verifiable work, following a controversy at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 involving Galgotias University.
The issue arose after a faculty member from the university claimed during a media interaction that a robotic dog displayed at the event had been developed in-house by the institution. The statement quickly drew attention online when it emerged that the robot was actually a commercially available model — the Unitree Go2 — manufactured by Unitree Robotics, a China-based robotics firm.
The claim triggered widespread criticism on social media, prompting event organisers to ask the university to vacate its exhibition space, a request that was subsequently complied with.
Centre’s Stand: Authenticity Over Controversy
Responding to questions on the matter, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) made it clear that misinformation has no place at national-level technology showcases. S Krishnan, Secretary at Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, said exhibitions should reflect genuine work and follow a clear code of conduct.
The ministry clarified that while innovation should not be restricted, any form of misrepresentation — intentional or otherwise — undermines the purpose of such events. Officials also noted that since the exhibits were not meant for commercial sale, they were not subject to certification norms.
Professor Cites Miscommunication
The professor at the centre of the controversy later stated that her remarks were the result of miscommunication and excessive enthusiasm during the interaction. She maintained that the robotic dog carried visible branding and was never altered to suggest indigenous development. According to her, the intent behind displaying the robot was to inspire students and expose them to advanced global technology.
Some of her remarks during follow-up interactions were widely circulated online and became a focal point of public criticism.
University Issues Apology
In an official statement, Galgotias University distanced itself from the remarks, stating that the faculty member was not authorised to speak to the media and lacked complete technical knowledge about the exhibit. The institution issued an apology for the confusion caused and reaffirmed its commitment to academic integrity, transparency, and responsible representation of innovation.
The university also confirmed that it had vacated its pavilion at the summit as directed by the organisers.
Bigger Message for Tech Exhibitions
The incident has sparked a broader discussion on accountability and accuracy at technology expos, especially those held on national platforms. Government officials reiterated that while innovation must be encouraged, credibility and factual representation remain non-negotiable.
The Centre emphasised that future exhibitions should focus on genuine achievements to avoid unnecessary controversy and maintain public trust in India’s growing technology ecosystem.
