As controversy around “Robdog” continues to swirl, Galgotias University on Wednesday issued a new statement seeking to clear the air and apologizing for what it called “confusion” during the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
In its clarification, the Indian university said its representative at the summit had been “ill-informed” and suggested the situation escalated because of a faculty member’s eagerness to speak on camera. The statement pointed specifically to Professor Neha Singh, saying she was not fully aware of the product’s technical origins when she addressed the media.
“We at Galgotias University, wish to apologise profusely for the confusion created at the recent Al Summit. One of our representatives, manning the pavilion, was ill-informed. She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information even though she was not authorised to speak to the press. Understanding the organisers sentiment we have vacated the premises,” as per the fresh statement of the Galgotias University, India.
The clarification marks the university’s third statement since the controversy erupted. The backlash began after the school appeared to present a Chinese-made robot dog as its own innovation during Tuesday’s AI Impact Summit 2026.
In a clip that quickly spread across social media, Professor Neha Singh of Galgotias University introduced the machine by saying, “You need to meet Orion. This has been developed by the Centre of Excellence at Galgotias University.” The video fueled criticism and prompted questions about how the product was described on stage.
Who is Neha Singh?
Singh, who serves as Head of the Communications Department at the School of Business at Galgotias University, is not part of the institution’s core technical faculty, a distinction she underscored after the controversy broke.
In comments to PTI, Singh said she was not familiar with the technical background of the robot and maintained that there was never any claim that the university had manufactured it.
Responding to the viral clip, she acknowledged that the way the robot was introduced at the summit may have contributed to the uproar. Singh said the presentation unfolded in a fast-moving setting and that her remarks were made with excitement, which may have led to confusion. She emphasized that the robotic dog was showcased as a demonstration tool meant to inspire students to create more advanced innovations of their own, not as a product built by the university itself.
Singh joined Galgotias University in November 2023, according to her LinkedIn profile. Her career timeline shows that before taking on her current role, she served as an assistant professor at Sharda University in Greater Noida and worked as a verbal ability mentor with Career Launcher. She has also previously been associated with GITAM, a deemed-to-be university.
Singh earned her MBA from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in 2006 after completing a bachelor’s in commerce at the University of Allahabad.
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Social media criticism
As criticism intensified, Galgotias University released an official clarification addressing the controversy. By Wednesday afternoon, the university’s stall at the summit had been cleared of its displays, although a few students remained nearby.
Online, however, the conversation showed no signs of slowing down. Social media platforms were flooded with memes targeting both the university and Singh. Several popular accounts amplified the episode, while others used it as a case study in how marketing efforts can misfire. On LinkedIn in particular, the incident sparked long posts dissecting branding missteps and the risks of overpromising in high profile tech showcases.
Online interest in Singh has spiked in the wake of the summit. Search queries such as “Neha Singh Galgotias University” and “Who is Neha Singh professor” have climbed sharply as the controversy gained traction.
The episode has widened into a broader conversation about how technology is presented at high profile, government backed forums and what responsibility academic institutions bear when showcasing innovation. As scrutiny continues, Singh remains at the center of the storm, having become the most visible representative of the university’s AI display.