The AI Impact Summit is currently being organized in the national capital, Delhi. Meanwhile, important information regarding the program has come to light. Quoting sources, there is news that Galgotias University has been instructed to immediately vacate the AI Summit Expo venue following a controversy arising over the display of a robotic dog. It is being said that this step was taken due to questions raised regarding the display. It is reported that action was taken against this Greater Noida-based institute when a video of the program went viral on social media on Tuesday.
In the video, university representatives were seen presenting a robotic dog as a product developed at their ‘Center of Excellence’. The controversy erupted regarding this presentation, after which immediate steps were taken.
Chinese Robot
The robotic dog presented by Galgotias University during the summit has been identified as the Chinese robot Unitree Go2, which is a commercially available model made by the Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics. At the summit, the robot was presented under the name “Orion”.
What did the Galgotias University professor say on the controversy?
Amid the controversy arising over the display of the Chinese-made robodog at the AI Impact Summit, Galgotias University Professor Dr. Aishwarya Srivastava has offered a clarification. She said, “We never claimed that we built the robodog. This was merely a part of our AI investment and exhibition. It was presented and understood incorrectly.”
Following this statement, an attempt has been made by the university to clarify the situation.
Earlier, as the controversy escalated, an official statement was issued by the institute. Expressing concern over the “propaganda” being run against it, the university said that the matter is being presented incorrectly. The statement clarified that robotic programming is part of their academic program, aimed at teaching students to develop AI-based applications. According to the university, the objective of this initiative is for students to use globally available tools and resources to develop technical capabilities related to the real world.
In the statement, the university said, “Faculty and students at Galgotias are deeply hurt by the propaganda being run against our institution. We want to clarify that robotic programming is part of our academic initiative, aimed at teaching AI programming to students. Through this, they can use globally available tools and resources to develop and apply skills related to the real world. Preparing AI talent is the need of the hour in today’s era.”
The statement further added, “Our university’s vision is focused on student learning and innovation. We provide access to modern technology to students so that they can gain practical experience and prepare themselves for the future. Spreading negativity can break the morale of those students who are working hard for innovation and skill development using global technology.”
