AI Summit Chaos in Delhi: Global Delegates Forced to Walk Kilometers as Roads Blocked

Picture this: you've flown in, perhaps from another continent, for a prestigious AI summit in India's bustling capital, Delhi. You're ready to engage, network, and talk about the future of technology. What you absolutely don't expect, though, is to find yourself hoofing it for kilometers, desperately trying to flag down a ride that simply isn't allowed to reach your destination. Well, that's precisely the bizarre, frustrating reality faced by many delegates attending a major AI summit at the India Habitat Centre (IHC) recently, turning a high-tech event into an unexpected trek.

The scene unfolded like something out of a comedy of errors, except no one was laughing. Roads leading to the esteemed IHC, the venue for this crucial IndiaAI program summit, were transformed into a veritable maze of diversions and strict police cordons. The result? Taxis, auto-rickshaws, and ride-sharing services, the lifelines of Delhi's public transport, were unceremoniously turned away by the authorities. Imagine the bewilderment, the sheer inconvenience, as attendees, some with luggage, others just trying to get to their sessions on time, were suddenly left stranded far from the conference doors.

Many delegates, including those from abroad, reported being dropped off miles away, near places like the JLN Stadium metro station. From there, it was a forced march. We're talking about walking significant distances, often under the Delhi sun, amidst the city's usual hustle and bustle, all just to attend an event celebrating technological advancement. It's a truly humbling, if not utterly exasperating, experience when you're geared up for discussions on cutting-edge AI and instead you're navigating dusty pavements, just trying to find your way in.

The irony, let's be honest, was palpable. Here was India, proudly hosting an international summit to showcase its growing prowess in artificial intelligence, aiming to position itself as a leader in the Global South's tech narrative. Yet, the most basic logistical arrangements for its esteemed guests seemed to fall completely flat. Social media quickly became a platform for frustrated attendees, sharing their ordeal and voicing concerns about the message this sends to the international community. It’s hard to focus on a keynote about machine learning when your feet are aching and you've spent the last hour trying to hail a non-existent cab.

This wasn't just a minor hiccup; it was a significant disruption that undoubtedly overshadowed some of the summit's intended impact. While VIP movement in Delhi can often lead to temporary inconveniences, for an event of this stature, especially one with international participants, such widespread chaos is simply unacceptable. It really makes you wonder about the coordination, or lack thereof, between event organizers and local authorities. One would hope that future international gatherings in our capital city are planned with a little more foresight, ensuring that delegates can actually arrive at the venue with dignity and without needing to embark on an unexpected urban expedition.