The India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, held on February 16, 2026, faced significant organizational challenges. Attendees reported long queues, overcrowding, and patchy mobile networks, with security sweeps for high-level guests adding to the confusion. Despite these issues, the event aims to highlight India's technology goals and provide a platform for developing nations in global AI discussions.
This chaotic start comes as AI's role in society is increasingly complex. While videos can reveal truth, new AI technologies also threaten the credibility of video evidence, as demonstrated by convincing fake films. Experts note this contradictory time, where AI can both clarify and obscure reality, making critical evaluation more important than ever.
In the business sector, Meta has integrated Manus, an AI work assistant, into its Ads Manager platform. This tool, acquired for over $2 billion in early 2026, automates tasks like data analysis and report generation, aiming to save advertisers time. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also plans for Manus to develop consumer-facing AI products, including shopping tools. Meanwhile, Acres.com launched new AI search and zoning intelligence tools for homebuilders, allowing users to describe land needs in simple language and instantly check zoning rules.
Education is also embracing AI, with the University of Georgia investing $800,000 in a pilot program for Spring 2026. This initiative provides thousands of students access to premium AI tools like ChatGPT Edu and Gemini Pro, preparing them for an AI-shaped future without using student data for model training. Businesses are also actively seeking alternatives to Zapier for workflow automation in 2026, with platforms like Make, Integrately, and Pabbly Connect offering diverse features.
However, the rapid adoption of AI also brings caution. Experts advise IT security chiefs to carefully assess if AI features are mature enough for their organizations, warning that more AI does not automatically equate to better security. Strong IT security architecture remains paramount. Concerns also extend to infrastructure, as a new study suggests utilities like Georgia Power might be significantly overestimating the energy needs of AI data centers. This could lead to regular customers paying for unneeded power infrastructure if demand falls short of the predicted 10 gigawatt expansion.
On a national scale, America needs AI models focused on science and math to maintain competitiveness with China, which is targeting AI and other advanced technologies in its five-year plan. Developing AI for complex calculations in areas like new materials and advanced chip manufacturing is crucial for economic and military progress. Looking ahead, Apple announced a special event for March 4, where it may unveil a new budget iPhone, updated iPads, and a low-cost MacBook. However, expectations for an AI-powered Siri release at this event have diminished.
Key Takeaways
- The India AI Impact Summit on February 16, 2026, faced significant organizational issues, including overcrowding and poor mobile networks.
- AI's dual nature is evident as it can both reveal truth through video and obscure it by creating convincing fakes.
- Meta acquired the AI startup Manus for over $2 billion in early 2026 and integrated it into Ads Manager to automate business tasks, with plans for consumer-facing AI products.
- Acres.com launched new AI search and zoning intelligence tools to help homebuilders quickly find land and understand regulations.
- The University of Georgia is investing $800,000 in Spring 2026 to provide students with premium AI tools like ChatGPT Edu and Gemini Pro, ensuring student data is not used for training.
- Experts advise caution regarding AI in cybersecurity, emphasizing that strong IT security architecture is more critical than simply adding AI features.
- Utilities like Georgia Power may be overestimating AI data center energy demand, potentially leading to customers paying for unneeded power infrastructure.
- The U.S. needs to develop AI models focused on science and math to compete with China's strategic investments in AI, quantum technology, and material science.
- Apple's March 4 event is expected to feature new hardware like a budget iPhone and updated iPads, but an AI-powered Siri release is not anticipated.
- Businesses are actively seeking alternatives to Zapier for workflow automation in 2026, with options like Make, Integrately, and Pabbly Connect offering varied features.
India AI Summit Opening Day Plagued by Chaos
The India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi started on February 16, 2026, with many complaints from attendees. People faced long queues, overcrowding, and poor organization at the Bharat Mandapam venue. Security sweeps for high-level guests caused confusion, and some speakers still awaited session details. This event aims to show India's technology goals and give developing nations a voice in global AI discussions.
India's Global AI Summit Opening Day Sees Widespread Chaos
India's AI Impact Summit in New Delhi started with major problems on February 16, 2026. Attendees and exhibitors faced patchy mobile networks, poor organization, and security lockdowns due to the prime minister's arrival. Romil Rungta from YuVerse noted that people were confused about entry and had trouble getting basic necessities. Despite the chaos, some startups like Infutrix Technologies and AngelBot hoped for good exposure. Many people shared their disappointment on social media platform X.
Videos Reveal Truth Yet AI Can Obscure It
Videos today both reveal and hide the truth, creating a confusing situation. An Irish filmmaker, Rauiri Robinson, created a very convincing fake film. In contrast, videos from Minneapolis quickly showed that an administration's claims were false, leading to criticism from Senator Ted Cruz. Sam Gregory from Witness, a human rights group, noted this contradictory time. New technologies like AI threaten the credibility of video evidence more than ever.
AI's Role in Cyber Security Needs Careful Look
The role of AI in cyber security is growing, but experts like Ellie Hurst from Advent IM advise caution. She urges IT security chiefs to check if AI features are mature enough to help their organization without adding new risks. Aditya K Sood from Aryaka explains that while machine learning has powered security tools for over a decade, new large language models are changing how security teams interact with data. However, Sood warns that more AI does not automatically mean better security. He stresses that strong IT security architecture is more important than just adding AI features.
Top 12 Zapier Alternatives for Workflow Automation in 2026
Many businesses are looking for alternatives to Zapier for workflow automation in 2026. This list reviews 12 top platforms that offer different benefits, such as visual workflow builders or more affordable pricing. Key alternatives include Make, known for its visual editor and complex logic, and Integrately, praised for its simplicity and one-click setups. Pabbly Connect stands out with a lifetime deal for high-volume tasks. Other options like Workato, 8n.io, Lindy, and Skywork.ai cater to enterprise needs, open-source preferences, or AI-native workflows.
Acres.com Uses AI for Smart Land Search and Zoning
Acres.com launched new AI search and zoning intelligence tools for homebuilders and developers. This technology lets users describe land needs in simple language and instantly check parcels, zoning rules, and costs on a map. The goal is to cut down on manual research and speed up early land decisions, helping teams avoid risks. Acres founder and CEO Carter Malloy stated that the system decodes zoning requirements and timelines in real time. This innovation helps builders quickly find suitable land and understand its potential.
Utilities Overestimate AI Boom Risking Customer Bills
A new study suggests that utilities like Georgia Power might be greatly overestimating the energy needs of AI data centers. Georgia Power approved a 10 gigawatt expansion, mostly for data centers, but Greenlink's study says this level of growth has only a 0.2 percent chance of happening. If demand is lower than predicted, regular customers could end up paying for unneeded power infrastructure. The Georgia Public Service Commission has tried to protect ratepayers with measures like 15-year contracts for large users. However, clean energy advocates worry these plans also slow down the shift away from fossil fuels.
UGA Prepares Students for AI Future with New Program
The University of Georgia UGA is investing $800,000 into a pilot program for students in spring 2026. This program will give thousands of students access to premium AI tools like ChatGPT Edu and Gemini Pro. UGA President Jere W. Morehead stated that the university aims to prepare students for a changing world shaped by AI. The initiative began with SGA President John Neely and Vice President Jhaycee Barnes, who saw the importance of AI literacy in the workforce. Student data in these university accounts will not be used to train the AI models.
America Needs AI for Science and Math Progress
Jack D. Hidary argues that America needs AI models focused on science and math to stay competitive with China. China's upcoming five-year plan will target key sectors like AI, quantum technology, and novel material science. China has already shown rapid growth in areas like biotechnology due to previous plans. To compete, the US must develop AI that can handle complex calculations for new materials, advanced chip manufacturing, and energy storage. This will be crucial for economic and military advancements.
Apple Event March 4 Hints at New Devices No AI Siri
Apple announced a special event for March 4, where it might reveal a new budget iPhone. Speculation also suggests updated iPads and a low-cost MacBook could be unveiled. However, hopes for an AI-powered Siri release at this event have faded. The event will take place in New York.
Meta Integrates Manus AI into Ads Manager
Meta has integrated Manus, a new AI work assistant, into its Ads Manager platform. This AI tool aims to automate business tasks like data analysis and report generation, helping advertisers save time and gain insights. Meta acquired the Chinese-owned AI startup Manus for over $2 billion in early 2026. CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans for Manus to develop consumer-facing AI products, including shopping tools. All Meta advertisers can now access Manus in the "Tools" listing within Ads Manager.
Sources
- India's AI Summit opening in New Delhi marred by long queues, confusion
- Day one of India’s global AI pitch descends into chaos
- More Than Ever, Videos Expose the Truth. And Cloud It, Too.
- Making sense of AI’s role in cyber security
- 12 beste Zapier-Alternativen für die Workflow-Automatisierung (2026)
- AI powers land and lot search and zoning feasibility. Here’s how
- These utilities may be wildly overestimating the AI boom—at public expense
- University of Georgia launches AI pilot program for students
- Opinion | America Needs AI That Can Do Math
- Apple Event March 4: Cheaper iPhone Seen But No AI Siri
- MediaDailyNews: Meta Integrates Manus AI In Ads Manager
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