Galgotias University found itself at the center of a major controversy during the AI Impact Summit 2026 after questions surfaced over the robotic dog displayed at its expo stall. On Wednesday, university officials were seen vacating their space at Bharat Mandapam, even as the institution initially maintained that it had not received any formal communication asking it to do so.
The controversy erupted when the university showcased a robotic dog named “Orion” at the summit. Soon after, social media users and technology enthusiasts pointed out that the robot appeared to be the Unitree Go2, a commercially available machine manufactured by Chinese firm Unitree Robotics. The claim quickly went viral, with critics accusing the university of presenting imported technology as an in-house innovation.
The backlash intensified as government officials addressed the issue publicly. IT Secretary S Krishnan made it clear that the government did not want any controversy overshadowing the summit. He stressed that plagiarism and misinformation would not be encouraged and emphasized the importance of genuine exhibits at such a high-profile event.
Adding to the criticism, Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at MeitY and CEO of the India AI Mission, said the main concern was misrepresentation. According to him, the issue was not about displaying a purchased robot, but about allegedly creating confusion regarding its origin. “The whole world is here,” he remarked, underscoring the global visibility of the summit.
Reports soon emerged suggesting that the university had been asked to vacate its stall immediately. However, Galgotias University initially denied receiving any official directive. Dr. Nitin Kumar Gaur, Registrar of the institution, stated that the robot had been purchased and was being used as part of the university’s AI learning initiatives. He insisted that the university never claimed to have manufactured the robot.
In a formal statement, the university clarified its position. It described the robotic dog as an educational tool acquired to give students exposure to advanced AI-driven robotics. The statement emphasized that Galgotias had not built the robodog and had not claimed to do so. Instead, it said the goal was to inspire students to experiment with cutting-edge technology and eventually develop indigenous innovations in the future.
The controversy also drew attention to a viral video featuring Professor Neha Singh, who later took responsibility for what she described as a communication gap. She acknowledged that in the excitement of presenting the technology, the messaging may not have been as clear as intended. She reiterated that there was no claim of manufacturing the robot and that the intention was to motivate students.
Despite the university’s clarifications, officials were seen vacating the stall, further fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes developments. While it remains unclear whether a formal order was issued, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about transparency and accountability in India’s rapidly expanding AI ecosystem.
The AI Impact Summit 2026 was meant to showcase India’s growing capabilities in artificial intelligence. Instead, this episode has highlighted the importance of clear communication and accurate representation, especially when global delegates and industry leaders are watching closely.