'Horror stories,' 'utterly shameful': Netizens dismayed after AI wearables are stolen at India AI Summit

A significant technology conference aimed at highlighting India's aspirations in artificial intelligence was marred by controversy when a startup founder accused organizers of negligence after his product was stolen during security checks for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. Dhananjay Yadav, co-founder and CEO of NeoSapien, reported the theft on the inaugural day of the India AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. His company specializes in an AI wearable device designed to monitor conversations and assess emotions. In a candid post on social media platform X, Yadav expressed his dismay, stating, "Day 1 of the AI Impact Summit turned out to be a pain for us." Yadav attended the event to show his support for the burgeoning AI ecosystem and the government's initiative to promote AI adoption. However, he was taken aback by the unfolding events. Security personnel began securing the exhibition area hours before the Prime Minister’s arrival, which was scheduled for 2 PM. Despite his concerns about the safety of his products, Yadav was assured that they would be secure, as other attendees were leaving their laptops behind. In a twist of fate, when access to his booth was restored several hours later, Yadav discovered that his boxes were empty. "Consider this: We invested in flights, accommodations, and a booth, only to have our wearables vanish from a supposedly high-security zone," he lamented. "If only authorized personnel had access, how could this happen? This is extremely disappointing." The incident sparked an outcry online, with many attendees and onlookers voicing their frustrations regarding the event's management. One user lamented that no representatives from the summit or local police had contacted Yadav after the theft. Another criticized the organization, stating, "As many warned, the ‘AI Summit’ seems to have failed spectacularly on its opening day." Some attendees drew comparisons with international events, highlighting the need for improvement in India's exhibition practices. Comments reflected a sentiment that Indian trade fairs lack the discipline seen in other countries, with one attendee noting, "In India, one follows rules only to be exploited by those who do not. It is utterly shameful that this occurs at an event meant to showcase India to the world." The five-day summit, which kicked off on February 16, is among the most significant tech events in India this year, featuring esteemed global leaders, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.