‘Felt like a third-class citizen’: Bengaluru-based founder slams VIP culture at India AI Impact Summit

At the recently held AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi, a Bengaluru-based AI researcher and startup co-founder expressed frustration over the event's VIP culture, which he claimed marginalized attendees from the AI community. The founder highlighted that the excessive restrictions imposed on regular participants due to the movement of VIPs created an atmosphere where researchers felt like 'third-class citizens.' This critique underscores a growing concern within the tech community regarding the prioritization of VIPs over the contributions and needs of grassroots innovators and researchers. The event, intended to foster collaboration and discussion in the evolving field of artificial intelligence, instead became a platform where access and engagement were hindered by the very protocols designed to elevate it. As the AI sector in India continues to expand, the incident raises important questions about inclusivity and the treatment of contributors who are pivotal to the industry's growth.