The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday intensified its criticism of the BJP-led government over the controversy surrounding a robotic dog displayed by Galgotias University at the India AI Impact Summit, alleging that the incident had caused widespread international embarrassment and undermined the reputation of India’s scientific and engineering community. The party characterised the episode as a “copy-paste” controversy and accused the government of allowing an incident that, according to it, damaged the country’s credibility on a global technological platform.
In a post shared on social media platform X, AAP described the matter as a “fraud,” claiming that the controversy had negatively affected India’s image in the global scientific arena. The party argued that such incidents risk diminishing confidence in Indian innovation and research achievements at a time when the country is seeking to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Criticising the government’s handling of the summit, AAP alleged that the BJP had long followed what it termed a “copy-paste model” and extended this criticism to the organisation of the AI event itself. The party also took aim at Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, referring to him as a “reel minister,” and claimed that the controversy arose after a private university allegedly showcased a robotic dog manufactured in China while presenting it as its own research output. According to AAP, the incident had made Indian scientists and engineers the subject of ridicule internationally and raised concerns about authenticity and oversight at high-profile technology events.
Earlier in the day, sources indicated that authorities had directed Galgotias University to vacate its exhibition space at the AI Impact Summit Expo following allegations that the robotic dog displayed at its stall was not an original creation but a commercially available Chinese-made product. The university subsequently faced significant criticism both online and offline after videos and images of the robot circulated widely, prompting questions about the legitimacy of the exhibit and the verification processes followed by organisers.
The India AI Impact Summit itself is a five-day international programme structured around three central themes — People, Planet, and Progress — and is designed to explore the role of artificial intelligence in advancing inclusive and sustainable development. The event has drawn participation from more than 20 Heads of State, around 60 ministers, and approximately 500 global leaders and experts in the field of artificial intelligence. Promoted as the first major global AI gathering hosted in the Global South, the summit aims to convert international discussions on artificial intelligence into practical development outcomes aligned with the India AI Mission and the broader Digital India initiative.
