India's AI ambitions faced a setback at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 18, 2026, when Galgotias University was removed. A professor, Neha Singh, falsely claimed their Centre of Excellence developed a robotic dog named Orion, which was quickly identified as a commercially available Unitree Go2 from China. This incident caused embarrassment for India, which aims to be a global AI hub, though officials urged it not to overshadow the event's overall success.
Despite the controversy, the summit, which began on February 16, 2026, attracted tech leaders like Sundar Pichai and Sam Altman, an early investor in OpenAI. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is positioning India as an AI leader for the global south, with discussions focusing on AI adoption, social justice, and surveillance. However, Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, predicts AI will eliminate India's IT outsourcing services within five years, suggesting the country should develop an "Aadhaar-like AI stack" for public utilities.
In other AI developments, ECI Software Solutions launched its new AI-driven Homebuilder Sales & Marketing Suite on February 17 or 18, 2026. This cloud-based package, including tools like Lasso CRM and LotVue, aims to streamline sales workflows for residential builders. Scott Duman, President of Residential Home Construction at ECI, emphasized the suite's support for real-world processes, with practical AI features for lead prioritization expected throughout 2026.
Meanwhile, Meta plans to spend a significant $65 million this year to influence state politicians who favor the artificial intelligence industry. This marks Meta's largest election investment ever, with two new super PACs, Forge the Future Project and Making Our Tomorrow, launching spending in Texas and Illinois to prevent new state laws that could hinder AI development.
Further demonstrating AI's expanding reach, Washington D.C. became the first major U.S. city to mandate responsible AI training for its entire government workforce and contractors, announced by Mayor Muriel Bowser on February 12, 2026. Additionally, QWERKY AI, a Columbia, South Carolina startup, secured investment from SC Launch Inc. for its services that make AI systems more efficient, reducing energy, cost, and infrastructure needs.
AI is also making strides in healthcare, with new AI-powered cancer tools emerging to help oncologists choose optimal treatments by finding hidden insights in tumors, as seen with companies like Valar Labs. On the consumer front, the 9to5Mac Daily podcast on February 18, 2026, discussed expectations for iOS 27 and new AI products, hinting at Apple's continued focus. The broader societal impact of AI is also debated, with some arguing that productivity gains may primarily benefit company owners rather than leading to a four-day workweek for most workers, potentially exacerbating wealth inequality.
Key Takeaways
- Galgotias University was removed from the India AI Impact Summit on February 18, 2026, for falsely claiming a commercially available Chinese robot dog, Unitree Go2, as its own creation named Orion.
- The India AI Impact Summit, attended by tech leaders like Sundar Pichai and OpenAI investor Sam Altman, aims to position India as a global AI leader, particularly for the global south.
- Vinod Khosla predicts AI will automate most software programming and quality engineering jobs, leading to the disappearance of India's IT outsourcing services within five years.
- ECI Software Solutions launched its AI-driven Homebuilder Sales & Marketing Suite on February 17/18, 2026, to unify leads, inventory, and follow-up processes for residential builders, with Scott Duman overseeing residential construction.
- Meta plans to spend $65 million this year through two new super PACs to influence state politicians and prevent new laws that could hinder AI development, marking its largest election investment.
- Washington D.C. mandated responsible AI training for its entire government workforce and contractors on February 12, 2026, becoming the first major U.S. city to implement such a requirement.
- QWERKY AI, a Columbia, SC startup, received investment from SC Launch Inc. for its services that enhance AI system efficiency, reducing energy, cost, and infrastructure needs.
- New AI-powered cancer tools, such as those from Valar Labs, are emerging to assist oncologists in selecting personalized treatments by identifying hidden insights in tumors.
- The 9to5Mac Daily podcast on February 18, 2026, discussed expectations for iOS 27 and new AI products, indicating Apple's ongoing developments in the AI space.
- While some suggest AI will lead to a four-day workweek, others argue that AI's productivity gains are more likely to benefit company owners, potentially worsening wealth inequality for average workers.
India removes university from AI summit over fake robot dog claim
Galgotias University was removed from the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 18, 2026. A university professor, Neha Singh, claimed their Centre of Excellence developed a robotic dog named Orion. Internet users quickly identified the robot as a Unitree Go2, a commercially available product from China's Unitree Robotics. This incident embarrassed India, which aims to be a global AI hub. The university stated it was "deeply pained" by what it called a "propaganda campaign."
India AI summit official says robot dog row should not overshadow event
A top Indian bureaucrat stated that the Galgotias University robot dog controversy should not overshadow the India AI Impact Summit. Galgotias University was ordered to remove its stalls after Professor Neha Singh claimed a Chinese-made Unitree Go2 robot, named Orion, was developed by their students. The university registrar, Nitin Gaur, later clarified they bought the robot for student research, not that they developed it themselves. Officials emphasized that many institutions presented excellent exhibits and their hard work should remain the focus. The institute also said it would address the issue at a press conference.
Indian university removed from AI summit after robot dog claim
Galgotias University was removed from a major AI summit in New Delhi on February 18, 2026. This happened after Professor Neha Singh claimed a robotic dog, Orion, was developed by the university's Centre of Excellence. However, the robot was identified as a Unitree Go2, a commercial product from China's Unitree Robotics. The university later apologized for the confusion, stating Singh was ill-informed and not authorized to speak to the media. This incident highlighted India's high stakes in becoming a global AI hub. The summit also experienced some organizational issues, including reports of stolen items.
University asked to leave India AI summit over robot dog claim
Galgotias University was asked to leave India's flagship AI summit in New Delhi on February 18, 2026. A staff member, Professor Neha Singh, presented a commercially available Chinese robot dog, Unitree Go2, as the university's own creation named Orion. This incident caused embarrassment for India's AI goals and drew criticism from the opposition party, Congress. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had shared the video but later deleted it. Both the university and Singh later stated the robot was not their creation.
ECI Software Solutions launches AI sales tool for homebuilders
ECI Software Solutions launched its new AI-driven Homebuilder Sales & Marketing Suite on February 17, 2026. This cloud-based software package includes four tools designed to help residential builders. It unifies leads, inventory, and follow-up processes to improve how quickly builders can respond to potential buyers and close sales. Practical AI features will be added throughout 2026 to help prioritize leads and reduce manual work. Scott Duman, President of Residential Home Construction at ECI, stated the suite supports real-world homebuilding sales workflows for a faster, more professional experience.
ECI Software Solutions introduces AI suite for home sales
ECI Software Solutions launched its new AI-driven Homebuilder Sales & Marketing Suite on February 18, 2026. This cloud-based software package includes four tools, such as Lasso CRM and LotVue. It aims to connect leads, inventory information, and follow-up workflows for residential builders. The goal is to improve response times to potential buyers, reduce lost inquiries, and create a better buying experience. Practical AI features will be added in 2026 to help prioritize leads and provide insights. Scott Duman of ECI stated the suite helps sales teams with real-time visibility and faster handoffs.
Delhi AI summit draws tech leaders and global south attention
Tech billionaires like Sundar Pichai and Sam Altman are attending the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, India, which began on February 16, 2026. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is positioning India as a leader in AI for the global south. The summit brings together tech executives and leaders from countries like Kenya and Indonesia. Discussions include the rapid adoption of AI, its potential for social justice, and concerns about state surveillance. UN Secretary General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres and AI safety experts are also present to address the urgent need for global attention on AI risks.
Vinod Khosla predicts AI will end Indian IT outsourcing
Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures and an early investor in OpenAI, predicts India's technology outsourcing services will disappear within five years. He believes artificial intelligence will automate most software programming and quality engineering jobs. Khosla, who co-founded Sun Microsystems, also suggested India should create an "Aadhaar-like AI stack of public utilities." This would help make AI capabilities available to everyone.
9to5Mac Daily discusses iOS 27 and AI products
The 9to5Mac Daily podcast on February 18, 2026, provided a recap of the day's top stories. The episode discussed expectations for iOS 27 and new AI products. Listeners can find new episodes every weekday on various podcast platforms, including Apple Podcast and Overcast.
Columbia startup QWERKY AI gets investment for efficient AI
QWERKY AI, a startup based in Columbia, South Carolina, received a major investment from SC Launch Inc. SC Launch Inc. is the investment arm of the South Carolina Research Authority, a state nonprofit supporting tech startups. QWERKY AI provides services to make artificial intelligence systems more efficient, cutting down on energy, cost, and infrastructure needs. SCRA officials praised QWERKY AI's focus on usability and trust. Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann celebrated the company's headquarters opening on May 6, 2025, highlighting the city's growing tech market.
AI cancer tools emerge to help oncologists choose treatments
New AI-powered cancer tools are becoming available as oncologists consider how to use them. Companies like Valar Labs in Palo Alto, California, are creating machine learning algorithms that can find hidden insights in tumors. These insights go beyond what human pathologists can see. The main goal is to help oncologists and patients choose the best treatment, especially when options are not clear. Danielle Bitterman, an oncologist and AI researcher, believes this is a promising step for personalized medicine in cancer care.
AI will not bring a four-day workweek for most
Many business leaders suggest AI will lead to a four-day workweek, but this article argues against that idea. The author believes that productivity gains from AI will likely benefit company owners, not average workers. Historically, rising worker productivity has not led to higher median wages. Instead, AI could reduce take-home pay for most people, forcing them to take on more jobs. The article suggests that without worker power to demand a share of AI's productivity gains, wealth inequality will likely worsen.
Washington DC mandates AI training for all government workers
Washington, D.C. became the first major U.S. city to require responsible AI training for its entire government workforce and contractors. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced this new requirement on February 12, 2026. The self-paced program, developed with InnovateUS, teaches public sector workers to use generative AI safely and effectively while maintaining public trust. This initiative builds on Mayor's Order 2024-028 from February 2024, which established comprehensive AI governance principles for the city. The D.C. Office of the Chief Technology Officer oversees the training's implementation.
Meta spends 65 million dollars to influence AI laws
Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, plans to spend $65 million this year to support state politicians who favor the artificial intelligence industry. This marks Meta's largest election investment ever. The company is launching two new super PACs, Forge the Future Project for Republicans and Making Our Tomorrow for Democrats. Spending will begin this week in Texas and Illinois. Meta aims to prevent new state laws that could hinder AI development and address regulatory concerns for the AI industry.
Sources
- India boots a private university from an AI summit over a robot dog controversy
- Galgotias controversy shouldn’t overshadow efforts at India AI summit: Meity secy on Chinese robot row
- India boots a private university from an AI summit over a robot dog controversy
- India tells university to leave AI summit after presenting Chinese robot as its own, sources say
- ECI Software Solutions Launches AI-Driven Homebuilder Sales & Marketing Suite Empowering Residential Builders to Turn Interest into Contracts Faster
- ECI Software Solutions Launches AI-Driven Homebuilder Sales & Marketing Suite Empowering Residential Builders to Turn Interest into Contracts Faster
- Tech billionaires fly in for Delhi AI expo as Modi jostles to lead in south
- Vinod Khosla predicts AI will kill Indian IT sector in five years
- February 18, 2026 – iOS 27 expectations, AI products
- Columbia-based startup aimed at making AI more efficient nets investment from SC nonprofit
- As oncologists ponder how to integrate AI-powered cancer tools, products are hitting the market
- The bogus four-day workweek that AI supposedly ‘frees up’
- Washington, D.C. Becomes First Major U.S. City to Mandate Responsible AI Training for Government Workforce
- Meta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance A.I. Agenda
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