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Galgotias University Exits AI Summit Over Chinese Robot Dog Controversy

Galgotias University has vacated its pavilion at the AI Summit Expo following a major controversy. The incident stemmed from a professor falsely presenting a Chinese-manufactured robotic dog as a university-developed innovation. This prompted swift backlash from netizens and experts, who identified the device as a product from China's Unitree Robotics. The university has since apologized, stating the professor was "ill-informed" and not authorized to speak to the press.

Key Points: Galgotias University Apologizes, Exits AI Summit After Robot Dog Row

  • University exits AI Summit Expo
  • Apologizes for false innovation claim
  • Professor misrepresented Chinese robot dog
  • Public and expert backlash over incident
2 min read

Galgotias University exits AI Summit Expo; tenders apology, says professor was 'ill-informed'

Galgotias University vacates AI Summit Expo after falsely claiming a Chinese robotic dog as its own innovation, issuing a public apology.

"She was not aware of the technical origins of the product... gave factually incorrect information - University Statement"

New Delhi, Feb 18

Galgotias University, facing fire from all quarters, including people at large for roughly twenty-four hours, was sent packing on Wednesday evening from the AI Summit Expo, over the fiasco and national embarrassment it brought for itself as well as the nation over the Chinese robot dog.

The Greater Noida-based University, in a statement on Wednesday, said that it was 'profoundly apologetic' over the incident and informed that it was vacating the pavilion allotted to it at the AI India Expo.

The controversy emanated at the AI Summit Expo on Tuesday, over the portrayal of a Chinese robotic dog as the varsity's pavilion, with one of its professors explaining its AI-enabled features and describing robodog as a 'landmark innovation' by the varsity students.

The Galgotias University, initially reluctant to express regret, issued a public apology, stating that it was "apologising profusely" over the irresponsible and misleading conduct at the Expo.

Referring to the professor who stirred the row over the Chinese robodog, it said that the representative, manning the pavilion, was ill-informed.

"She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and, in her enthusiasm for being on camera, gave factually incorrect information even though she was not authorised to speak to the press," it stated.

Neha Singh, the professor of communications of Galgotias University, told a news reporter on Tuesday that the robotic dog on display -- named Orion - was developed by the Centre of Excellence at Galgotias University.

The lapse was quickly spotted by netizens and technical experts, who found this to be a device manufactured by China's Unitree Robotics.

The shocking revelations prompted angry backlash and diatribe against the University as experts and people in general upbraided the varsity for sullying the largest ever AI Summit being held at the capital's Bharat Mandapam and also bringing shame to the nation.

Earlier in the day, lights were cut at the stall allocated to the varsity, and its staff were seen leaving the Expo. When questioned by newsmen, they tried to duck the issue.

In its previous clarification, the university had said that it "never claimed to have built the device on its own" and that it was procured from a Chinese manufacturer to expose its students to technical advancements in AI-enabled landscapes.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While what happened is wrong, I feel a bit for the professor. The statement says she was "ill-informed" and "not authorised to speak." This points to a bigger failure in university management and event preparation. They sent an unprepared representative to a major summit. The institution needs to own this systemic failure, not just blame one individual.
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Aman W
Netizens and experts spotted it immediately! This shows how aware our tech community is. It's good that they were called out. We cannot have such misrepresentation, especially when the country is trying to build its own AI ecosystem. Hope other institutions learn a lesson about transparency.
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Sarah B
I'm an international student here. This incident is quite surprising. In global academia, the integrity of research and presentation is paramount. Procuring tech for study is fine, but claiming it as your innovation is a serious ethical breach. The swift action to remove them was correct.
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Karthik V
Their first clarification was weak – "never claimed to have built the device on its own." But the professor clearly said it was developed by their Centre of Excellence! That's a direct claim. The second, more profuse apology is better, but the backtracking shows a lack of clear protocol. Very disappointing.
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Nisha Z
As a parent, this worries me. We send our children to private universities like Galgotias with high fees, expecting quality and integrity. Such incidents shake our trust. What are they actually teaching in their "Centre of Excellence"? Hope they conduct a thorough internal review and focus on real projects.

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