IIM Shillong hosts the annual business conclave ‘Avinya’ focussing on AI and sustainability

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 4, 2024

IIM Shillong’s PGPEx successfully hosted its annual business conclave, ‘Avinya’, on August 31 and September 1, 2024. This year’s two-day event centered around the transformative themes of artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability, reflecting their growing significance in today’s business environment.

While delivering the welcome address Prof. Rohit Joshi Dean Academics, IIM Shillong, highlighted the institute’s dedication to promoting innovation and sustainability through education, research, and industry collaboration.

The first day featured a compelling panel discussion on “AI-Powered Talent Acquisition: Attracting and Hiring a Sustainable Workforce.” This discussion was enriched by insights from distinguished experts including Asha Subramaniam, Global CHRO at Subex, known for her work in HR transformation and corporate mentoring; Sanjeeb Lahiri, Chief HR Officer at GRP Ltd., an acclaimed executive coach and strategist; and Chetaan More, Director at Kantar’s Global Delivery Centre in India, specializing in marketing research and data risk management. The panel explored how AI can enhance talent acquisition processes, reduce biases, and align with sustainability goals while addressing the challenges of integrating AI into HR systems.

The second day of ‘Avinya’ continued with additional insightful discussions. One panel, focusing on “The Human Element in AI-Powered HR: Empathy, Ethics, and Effectiveness,” featured Mr. Ramakrishna Vyamajala, CHRO at HomeFirst; Deepti Mehta, Chief Human Resource Officer at Interface Microsystems; Aravind Warrier, HR leader at Volvo India; and Amreesh Kher, Chief Business Officer-Insurance at Tata Digital. This discussion examined the importance of empathy, ethics, and effectiveness in ensuring that AI is used responsibly and beneficially in HR practices.

Another panel on “Sustainability as a Strategic Imperative: The Role of Leadership in Driving Change” included Himanshu Jessie Wadia, Director of IT Infrastructure & BSS at Amdocs; Nimish Gupta, Director at BCG X; Jagdish Narayanan, Chief Technology Officer at Equifax India; and Arun Jain, Country Service Delivery Leader at Keysight Technologies. The panel explored how leadership can drive sustainability initiatives and align technology with sustainable practices.

‘Avinya’ underscores IIM Shillong’s commitment to leading discussions on emerging trends and technologies that shape industries and societies. The institute remains dedicated to fostering innovation, sustainability, and leadership through its Post Graduate Programme for Executives (PGPEx) and other initiatives.