An Instagram Story posted by Indian actor and influencer Sahiba Bali at the ongoing AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi has sparked an online debate about the quality of basic amenities at major global events.
Bali, who has nearly 900,000 followers on Instagram, is attending the summit in the capital this week. In one of her Stories, she wrote, “Bathroom break out the summit because AI can’t clean bathrooms here,” indicating she had stepped outside the main venue due to the condition of the washrooms.
The post quickly gained traction on social media, with users debating whether large-scale, tech-focused conferences should be held to higher standards when it comes to on-ground arrangements.
Screenshots of Bali’s Instagram Story were widely shared, including on X, where her comment prompted a broader discussion about sanitation standards at major conferences and international forums.
Many users questioned how an event drawing global delegates could fall short on something as fundamental as clean restroom facilities. The conversation soon expanded beyond her individual experience to broader concerns about event management.
One comment read, “Imagine not having clean washrooms at the international AI summit with people from all over the world,” while another asked, “What’s the point if we can’t have clean toilets at international summits?”
For some, the issue went beyond inconvenience and became a matter of optics. Several posts framed the episode as damaging to India’s image, particularly at an event designed to showcase the country’s technological ambitions.
“Even the washrooms at an international AI summit with guests from around the world are unhygienic. This shows poor management,” one user wrote.
“Imagine global guests here and we can’t even manage basic hygiene. What an embarrassment for India on the world stage,” another commented.
The washroom controversy is not the only challenge the summit has faced this week.
On the opening day, several attendees reported that food stalls were accepting cash only, with no provision for card or UPI payments. Participants also complained about patchy WiFi connectivity. For many, the optics were difficult to ignore: a flagship artificial intelligence conference, held under the IndiaAI Mission and the broader Digital India initiative, appeared to be struggling with basic digital infrastructure on the ground.
The event also drew scrutiny after Noida-based Galgotias University showcased a Chinese-made robotic dog as part of its display. The Centre intervened and directed the university to vacate its stall at the expo, cautioning exhibitors against presenting third-party products as their own work.
As criticism mounted, Galgotias University issued a clarification and apologised for the “confusion” at the India AI Impact Summit.
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Sahiba Bali is an Indian actor and digital creator who has built a presence across films, streaming platforms, and social media. She has appeared in projects such as Dear Maya and Laila Majnu, as well as series including Bard of Blood and Tanaav.
In addition to acting, she has taken on hosting assignments, including work connected to Shark Tank India, and has served as a sports presenter with networks such as Star Sports.
Before moving fully into entertainment, Bali worked in marketing and brand roles at companies including Zomato and Unacademy. That corporate background often informs her online presence, where she blends lifestyle content with professional insights for her Instagram audience.
The India AI Impact Summit is underway in Delhi from February 16 to 21, 2026. The event has attracted a high-profile lineup of global leaders and tech executives, including French President Emmanuel Macron, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.