Greater Noida’s Galgotias University has been asked to vacate the AI Impact Summit Expo for causing a “national embarrassment” by claiming a Chinese Unitree robodog as its own, people aware of the matter said.
This directive comes after the university faced backlash for presenting a Chinese robot dog as their own at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit in Delhi. A video went viral on social media yesterday which showed professor Neha Singh of the university claiming that the robodog is named Orion and that it was developed by the Centre of Excellence at Galgotias University.
(Also read: Galgotias University asked to vacate AI Summit after row over Chinese robodog, power at stall cut off)
Galgotias professor clarifies
Professor Neha Singh today clarified that claiming the robodog as indigenously developed was not her intention.
“The controversy happened because things may not have been expressed clearly,” she said.
{{/usCountry}}“The controversy happened because things may not have been expressed clearly,” she said.
{{/usCountry}}“I take accountability that perhaps I did not communicate it properly, as it was done with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and very quickly, so I may not have come across as eloquently as I usually do.
(Also Read: HT Exclusive interview of Neha Singh)
“Also, the intent may not have been properly understood. One important point is regarding the robot dog—we cannot claim that we manufactured it. I have told everyone that we introduced it to our students to inspire them to create something better on their own.
“Our university contributes to building future leaders by providing cutting-edge technologies in the field of AI, and it will continue to do so,” Singh added.
The professor of communication at Galgotias University denied knowledge of the institute being asked to vacate the Expo.
“I do not have any information about that. What I know is that today we are all present here,” she said.
Singh's statement came after the university issued its own clarification on social media this morning. (Also read: Galgotias University responds after being accused of passing off Chinese robot dog as its own at AI summit)