Himalayan Business Summit 2026 Highlights AI Leadership
January 20, 2026; Mandi: The School of Management at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi successfully organized the third edition of its annual two-day industry conclave, the Himalayan Business Summit (HiBS) 2026. This summit underscored the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping business models, leadership paradigms, and sustainable growth strategies in India.
Overview of the Summit
The summit attracted industry experts from leading companies, providing a platform for discussions on AI-driven leadership, enhanced productivity, and responsible decision-making. The event brought together top officials and technology leaders from various sectors, including:
- Raymond Limited
- Kirloskar Management Service
- VDart Digital
- NDTV Profit
- Religare Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited
- Onix
- InXiteOut
- Aamrass Digimarc LLP
- DBS Bank
- Target
- SAP
- Datawise
- Steel Authority of India Limited
- Vallabha Industrial Chemical Engineers Pvt Limited
- National Aluminium Company Limited
Thematic Focus
The summit centered around three core themes:
- Reimagining traditional Indian sectors through AI
- Leadership strategies for AI-driven growth
- Responsible AI as a source of long-term competitive advantage
These themes aimed to translate AI innovation into practical, scalable, and outcome-driven business value, particularly across India’s manufacturing, services, MSME, and policy-driven business ecosystems.
Keynote Address and Discussions
The summit featured a keynote address by Chief Guest Mr. Chitta Ranjan Mohapatra, Director in charge of Bhilai Steel Plant (SAIL). His insights, along with those from other industry leaders, focused on the impact of AI on business models and leadership paradigms, as well as the responsible and ethical use of AI in the Indian corporate sector.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Prof. Anjan Swain, Chair of the School of Management at IIT Mandi, emphasized the importance of transitioning from experimentation to effective execution in AI adoption. He stated, “India stands at a crucial juncture in its AI adoption journey, where the focus must shift from experimentation to effective execution for meaningful outcomes.”
HiBS 2026 aimed to bridge the gap between technology capability and business execution, highlighting AI’s influence on operational efficiency, governance, and strategic decision-making.
Student Engagement and Learning Opportunities
The summit also provided students with valuable networking opportunities, mentorship, and insights into emerging business trends and strategies. A case competition was conducted for students to learn the practical implementation of AI solutions in business use cases. This hands-on experience is crucial for preparing the next generation of leaders in the business landscape.
IIT Mandi’s Commitment to AI Education
IIT Mandi continues to strengthen its role as a thought leader in technology-driven management education and research. The School of Management offers a unique Data Science and AI specialization in its MBA program, which was initiated in 2022. This program has seen leading companies regularly recruiting talented MBA professionals from this specialization over the past two years.
Conclusion
The Himalayan Business Summit 2026 not only highlighted the significance of AI in business but also reinforced IIT Mandi’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue between academia and industry. By promoting responsible, scalable, and impact-oriented AI-driven business practices, the summit aims to contribute to India’s growth in the global market.
Note: The insights and discussions from the Himalayan Business Summit 2026 reflect the growing importance of AI in shaping the future of business in India.
