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Minister Ashwini Vaishnav apologized amid massive crowds and chaos at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The government reiterated its strategy to make India a global AI power, emphasizing ‘sovereign AI’ models, large investments, and skill development.
Government’s Big Bet on ‘Sovereign AI’
New Delhi: Massive crowds and chaos were witnessed on the first day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Complaints included long queues, delayed entry, Wi-Fi and network issues, limited access to stalls, and confusion during security checks.
Some startup founders also alleged that their equipment went missing during security clearance. Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw apologized for these incidents at a press conference, stating that the government regrets any inconvenience caused.
Union IT minister apologises for day 1 rush at AI Impact Summit; Assures better arrangements ahead
He stated that over 70,000 people attended the first day, and total registrations have surpassed 300,000. The minister stated that the government is fully open to feedback and has established a "war room" that is continuously working to improve the experience.
According to the organizers, immediate steps have been taken to improve crowd management and coordination to ensure smoother operations in the coming days.
During the press conference, Dynamite News asked how artificial intelligence would help farmers and strengthen the agriculture sector.
Responding to the question, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the government is planning to introduce AI tools specifically designed to support the farming and agricultural sectors. He further stated that new AI-based solutions will be rolled out to help farmers adopt modern farming practices.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addresses media at Bharat Mandapam
India's indigenous 'Sovereign AI' models were a major attraction at the summit. Vaishnaw claimed that these models meet global standards and compete with the world's leading AI systems. He indicated that under AI Mission 2.0, significant infrastructure investments will be made to implement these models on a large scale.
The minister clarified that India will not be limited to developing AI tools alone but will adopt a strategy to play on the front foot across all five layers of the entire AI ecosystem—infrastructure, models, applications, data, and talent. Foreign investors have also shown interest, with investments of over ₹20,000 crore expected over the next one to two years.
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He also acknowledged the impact of AI on employment and said that the solution lies in upskilling and reskilling. The government, industry, and academic institutions are working together to develop skills development programs for the new generation to meet the demands of an AI-based economy.
Although the chaos on the first day raised questions, the government sees it as a sign of India's growing AI ambitions and public enthusiasm. The summit aims to establish India as a leading, responsible, and competitive player in the global AI landscape.
