AI Impact Expo extended till Saturday amid security curbs, but closed to public today

NEW DELHI: With strict access restrictions announced for Thursday due to the movement of global leaders, the organisers have decided to keep the AI Impact Expo shut for the over three lakh registered participants and instead open it on Saturday.

The expo was originally scheduled to conclude on Friday, alongside the formal close of the summit. The extension, electronics and IT secretary S Krishnan said will allow more students, professionals and general visitors to experience the exhibits once security restrictions are lifted.





Access to the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre, where leaders and tech czars meet on Thursday, will be strictly by invitation, and traffic restrictions are expected to be in place in several parts of central Delhi.

The restrictions come amid heightened security arrangements, intermittent traffic diversions around Bharat Mandapam and tightly regulated entry windows for invitees, media and vehicles. Delegates have been advised to arrive early, use designated gates and rely on shuttle services from notified parking zones such as Purana Qila, Zoo parking and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

While today is set to be a tightly controlled day, Wednesday offered a sharp contrast. Day three of the summit saw smooth crowd movement, quicker security clearances and well-managed queues across gates, even as footfall surged at the expo halls showcasing over 600 startups, global technology firms and country pavilions. Volunteers, digital entry systems and staggered session schedules ensured that the large turnout did not translate into congestion, a marked improvement from the opening day rush.

Inside the expo arena, packed aisles and steady engagement at demo booths underscored the growing public interest in applied AI-- from healthcare and education to manufacturing and governance.

With smooth operations on day three and tight protocols in place for Thursday's diplomatic engagements, the summit now heads into its final stretch balancing global diplomacy with mass public participation.