Who is Neha Singh? The Galgotias University professor at the centre of the RoboDog row

Galgotias University recently found itself in the spotlight after a robotic dog displayed at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi sparked controversy. The university was reportedly asked to vacate its expo space following claims that the RoboDog showcased at the stall was Chinese-made. A video from the event, which quickly went viral, showed Professor Neha Singh introducing the robot as “Orion”, triggering online speculation about whether the machine had been presented as an in-house innovation.Neha Singh is the Head of Department - Communications at the School of Business, Galgotias University She is not part of the core technical teaching faculty, a point she clarified after the controversy erupted. Speaking to PTI, Singh said she was unaware of the specifics surrounding the robot’s development and stressed that there was no claim that the university had manufactured it. Addressing the viral video, Singh admitted that the situation may have escalated due to the way things were communicated at the summit. She explained that her introduction of the robot was delivered with enthusiasm and in a fast-paced environment, which may have led to misunderstandings. According to her, the intent was never to suggest that the robotic dog was built by the university. Instead, she said it had been brought in as a demonstration tool to motivate students to build something more advanced themselves.She emphasised that the institution’s broader goal is to expose students to emerging AI technologies and encourage hands-on learning using globally available tools. The idea, she maintained, is to help students develop practical skills that prepare them for real-world applications in artificial intelligence.When asked whether the government had directed the university to vacate the expo area, Singh said she had no information regarding such an order. She simply stated that, as far as she was aware, the university representatives were present at the venue.On the academic front, Singh joined Galgotias University in November 2023. According to her LinkedIn prole, prior to this, she worked at Sharda University in Greater Noida as Assistant Professor and Verbal Ability mentor at Career Launcher. She also worked at GITAM - deemed to be university.She completed her MBA from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in 2006, prior to that she completed her B.Com from University of Allahabad.Meanwhile, Galgotias University issued an official clarification amid mounting criticism. The institution expressed concern over what it described as a “propaganda campaign” and reiterated that robotic programming demonstrations are part of its efforts to train students in AI development. The university stated that its focus remains on building AI talent by enabling students to experiment with and deploy technologies that are already available globally.The controversy continues to generate debate online, but Singh has maintained that there was no attempt to misrepresent the robot’s origin — only an effort to inspire students through exposure to advanced AI tools.