iPad touchscreen unresponsive after iOS 26.1 update

I updated my iPad Air 5 to iOS 26.1. Now the screen does not respond to touch. Tried hard reset. Connecting it to update via PC. Restored it. Nothing works. The only response I can get from it is with an Apple Pencil, and only touching the bottom right i icon, not matter the orientation of the iPad the i icon will respond only to the Apple Pencil. No where else and does not respond to touch with my fingers. Took is to the Genius Bar and they were absolutely no help. They said so sorry, buy a new iPad.