New Delhi: In a major embarrassment for organisers and security at the India AI Impact Summit on Monday, a Bengaluru start-up alleged that its AI wearable was stolen from its stall, even as the venue was under a strict security lockdown ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.

Dhananjay Yadav, co-founder and CEO of NeoSapien, described the incident in a post on X, saying the device vanished after exhibitors were asked to vacate the area while security personnel sanitised the venue. He questioned how such a theft could occur when access was supposedly restricted.

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Yadav’s company has developed India’s first patented AI wearable, a device capable of tracking conversations and analysing emotions.

"Day 1 of the AI Impact Summit turned out to be a pain for us," Yadav wrote. "I wanted to show up personally to support the ecosystem and the government's push. But what happened next was shocking."

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At around noon, security personnel arrived to sanitise and cordon off the area ahead of the PM’s 2 pm visit. Yadav said he requested permission to stay at his stall to demonstrate India's first patented AI wearable. "While one official initially appeared to allow him to stay, another team soon arrived and told them to leave. Seemed like there was a lack of coordination between the security itself," Yadav said.

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Before leaving, Yadav asked if he should carry the AI wearables with him. He was told that other founders were leaving laptops behind and that security would safeguard the area. "Trusting them, I left. Hoping that the wearables will be safe, and If I am lucky, it might catch the eye of PM Modi," he wrote.

The venue remained sealed for nearly six hours. When Yadav returned, his devices were gone. Photographs shared by him showed empty packaging scattered across the booth.

"Think about this: We paid for flights, accommodation, logistics and even the booth. Only to see our wearables disappear inside a high-security zone," he wrote. "If only security and official entourage had access, how did this happen? This is extremely disappointing."