IIT Mandi Organized Himalayan Business Summit (HiBS) 2026 3.0 on AI-Led Business Transformation
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi successfully hosted the third edition of its annual industry conclave, the Himalayan Business Summit (HiBS) 2026, focusing on the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business. This two-day event took place on January 20-21, 2026, and attracted a diverse array of industry experts and leaders from various sectors.
Event Overview
HiBS 2026 served as a national-level platform for discussions centered on AI-driven leadership, enhanced productivity, and responsible decision-making in the corporate world. The summit provided students with invaluable networking opportunities, mentorship, and insights into emerging business trends and strategies, equipping them for future leadership roles.
Key Themes and Discussions
The summit revolved around three core themes:
- Reimagining Traditional Indian Sectors through AI: Exploring how AI can innovate and enhance traditional industries.
- Leadership Strategies for AI-Driven Growth: Discussing how leaders can harness AI for sustainable growth.
- Responsible AI as a Source of Long-Term Competitive Advantage: Emphasizing the ethical use of AI in business practices.
Industry leaders shared insights on the impact of AI on business models and leadership paradigms. The discussions also highlighted the importance of responsible and ethical AI adoption within the Indian corporate sector.
Participating Companies
The summit featured representatives from leading companies, 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
Keynote Address and Case Competition
The summit featured a keynote address by Mr. Chitta Ranjan Mohapatra, Director in charge of Bhilai Steel Plant (SAIL). This address set the tone for the discussions on AI’s role in enhancing operational efficiency and strategic decision-making.
Additionally, a case competition was organized for students, allowing them to apply AI solutions to real-world business scenarios. This hands-on experience aimed to deepen their understanding of practical AI implementation in business contexts.
Insights from IIT Mandi Leadership
Professor Anjan Swain, Chair of the School of Management at IIT Mandi, emphasized the significance of the summit in the context of India’s AI adoption journey. 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 has been designed as a platform for leaders to engage with the challenges surrounding AI and its impact on sustainable growth.”
Impact on Education and Industry
Through initiatives like HiBS 2026, IIT Mandi continues to establish itself as a thought leader in technology-driven management education and research. The summit reflects the institute’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue between academia and industry, advancing the adoption of responsible, scalable, and impact-oriented AI-driven business practices in India.
Notably, the School of Management at IIT Mandi offers a unique Data Science and AI specialization in its MBA program, which was launched in 2022. This program has attracted significant interest from leading companies, resulting in regular recruitment of talented MBA professionals from this specialization over the past two years.
Conclusion
The Himalayan Business Summit 2026 not only provided a platform for industry leaders and students to engage in meaningful discussions about AI and its implications for business but also reinforced IIT Mandi’s role in shaping the future of business education in India. As the corporate landscape continues to evolve with technological advancements, events like HiBS are crucial in preparing the next generation of leaders to navigate these changes responsibly and effectively.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on the event details and insights shared during the Himalayan Business Summit 2026 held at IIT Mandi.
