Day 1 of the AI Impact Summit witnessed considerable confusion and some chaos at Bharat Mandapam, as organisers struggled to manage the massive crowd, while also ensuring the safety and security of the participants alongside coordinating VVIP movements. According to an official, Bharat Mandapam witnesses a floating crowd of around 1 lakh people on a single day during the Trade Fair every year. “But on Day 1 of the AI Summit, around 80,000 people arrived at the same time. Also read | India AI Impact Summit 2026 Live Updates: AI Impact Expo open to public todayMost importantly, a security officer deployed at the venue said, the G20 Summit was not open to the general public, and the focus of the deployment was on ensuring the safety of VVIPs. Punit Jain, founder of Reskilll, posted on X: “An AI Summit that sidelines its own builders?

Source: Indian Express February 17, 2026 19:19 UTC