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NEW DELHI: Galgotias University on Wednesday issued an apology and went into damage control, pinning the entire blame on the Professor who was tasked with manning the pavilion, after a massive controversy erupted over its false claims around ‘in-house innovation’ displays at its booths at the ongoing AI Impact Summit 2026. In its apology, the university said the Professor Neha Singh, in-charge of its pavilion was “ill-informed”, and “didn’t know about the technical origins of the product” on display. The press release further blamed her for getting over enthusiastic in front of the camera and talking to the media, even though she wasn’t authorised to speak to the press.The apology came in stark contrast to Galgotias earlier statements, where the University had categorically termed the incident as a “propaganda campaign” against the institute, after saying that they never said it had not built or claimed to have built the robotic dog and emphasised its focus on student learning through exposure to advanced global technologies.
From propaganda to damage control — a timeline
First response: ‘We have not built or claimed to have built the robodog’
In its initial statement after the controversy broke, University asserted that it had not built or claimed to have built the robotic dog and highlighted its focus on student learning.“Let us be clear – Galgotias has not built this robodog,neither have we claimed. But what we are building are minds that will soon design, engineer, and manufacture such technologies right here in Bharat. Innovation knows no borders. Learning should not either. We will continue to source the best technologies from across the world so our students can study them, challenge them, improve upon them—and ultimately create world-class solutions from India for the world.”The university maintained that exposure to global technologies was part of its academic mission and that the robot was meant for student learning and experimentation.
Second response: ‘Propaganda campaign’ allegation
In a subsequent statement, the university escalated its defence, alleging that it was being targeted.“We at Galgotias, faculty and students, are deeply pained by the propaganda campaign against our university. We would like to clearly state that the robotic programming is part of our endeavour to make students learn Al programming and develop & deploy real world skills using globally available tools and resources, given developing Al talent is need of an hour.”
Professor’s clarification: ‘I take accountability’
Professor Neha Singh, who was representing the university at the summit, later issued her own clarification.“The controversy happened because things may not have been expressed clearly. I take accountability that perhaps I did not communicate it properly, as it was done with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and very quickly, so I may not have come across as eloquently as I usually do. Also, the intent may not have been properly understood. One important point is regarding the robot dog—we cannot claim that we manufactured it. I have told everyone that we introduced it to our students to inspire them to create something better on their own. Our university contributes to building future leaders by providing cutting-edge technologies in the field of AI, and it will continue to do so.”
Latest response: ‘Representatives was ill-informed’
In the apology, University recused itself of any accountability and blamed its faculty for giving out “factually incorrect information.”“We at Galgotias University, wish to apologise profusely for the confusion created at the recent Al Summit. One of our representatives, manning the pavilion, was ill-informed. She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information even though she was not authorised to speak to the press,” the statement read.The apology went on to say the incident was not an intentional act, clarifying no “institutional intent” behind the “misrepresentation” of the innovation.It said, “We request your kind understanding as there was no institutional intent to misrepresent this innovation. Galgotias University remains firmly committed to academic integrity, transparency, and responsible representation of our work. Understanding the organisers sentiment we have vacated the premises.”
What the row is about
The controversy began after the robotic dog displayed at the university’s stall was identified as the Unitree Go2, a commercially available quadruped robot sold in India for about Rs 2–3 lakh and manufactured by Chinese robotics firm Unitree.Critics alleged that the robot was presented at the summit as a product developed by the university, raising questions about showcasing imported technology at a national AI event meant to highlight domestic innovation.After scrutiny intensified, power at the Galgotias University pavilion at the AI Summit was reportedly cut off after it was asked to vacate the expo.Later, another product a “soccer drone arena” also claimed to be an in-house innovation by the University was found to be false, as many on social media highlighted its similarity already available South Korean product named ‘Stryker V3 ARF’ available in the market.
What triggered the row
Professor Neha Singh, while presenting the robot earlier, told DD News, “We are the first private university investing more than 350 crore rupees in artificial intelligence and we have a dedicated data science and artificial intelligence block on the campus. So Orion has been developed by the Center of Excellences and as you can see, it can take all shapes and sizes.”“It’s quite naughty also. It’s quite naughty also and it can perform small tasks of surveillance, monitoring,” she added.
Opposition reacts
The controversy drew sharp reactions from opposition leaders. The Congress said on X: “The Modi government has made a laughing stock of India globally, with regard to AI. In the ongoing AI summit, Chinese robots are being displayed as our own. The Chinese media has mocked us. This is truly embarrassing for India. What is even more shameful is the fact that Modi’s minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is indulging in the same falsehood, promoting China’s robots at the Indian summit.”“The Modi Government has caused irreparable damage to the image of the country – they have reduced AI to a joke – a field in which we could be world leaders given our data power,” it added.Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi termed the summit a “disorganised PR spectacle.” In a post on X, he said, “Instead of leveraging India’s talent and data, the AI summit is a disorganised PR spectacle – Indian data up for sale, Chinese products showcased.”
Source: Times of India
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