IIM Kashipur Hosts AVINYA 2.0: A Conclave on Innovation, AI, and Sustainable Impact
The Indian Institute of Management Kashipur recently organized AVINYA 2.0, its flagship annual conclave, focusing on the theme “From Idea to Impact: Designing, Building, and Scaling Sustainable Products in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” This event was held through the institute’s Design & Innovation Centre, known as Navaashay, and aimed to bring together industry leaders, academicians, innovators, and students to discuss the integration of design thinking, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainability.
Overview of AVINYA 2.0
AVINYA 2.0 served as a platform for meaningful dialogue on the future of design, AI, and sustainability. The conclave focused on how these elements can be combined to create responsible, scalable, and human-centric innovations in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Keynote Addresses and Insights
The event featured several prominent speakers who shared their insights on the intersection of technology and sustainability.
Prof. Kunal Ganguly
Delivering the welcome address, Prof. Kunal Ganguly, Dean (Development) at IIM Kashipur, emphasized the importance of viewing innovation as a leadership capability rather than a standalone function. He stated, “In an age where technology evolves faster than organizations, the real challenge lies in designing systems that are not only intelligent but also ethical, inclusive, and sustainable.” He highlighted the need for institutions to prepare leaders capable of translating ideas into impactful actions while being conscious of their social and environmental responsibilities.
Prof. Saptarshi Kolay
Prof. Saptarshi Kolay, a joint faculty member at the Department of Design, IIT Roorkee, remarked on the historical significance of design as a bridge between intent and impact. He noted, “From the Renaissance to artificial intelligence, progress happens when technology reduces cognitive load without losing the human touch.” His comments underscored the critical role of design in ensuring that technological advancements remain user-friendly and accessible.
Utsab Chakraborty
Utsab Chakraborty, Data Science & AI Leader at VISA, shared his perspective on enterprise decision-making. He stated, “AI does not create value by predicting outcomes alone; it creates value by enabling better decisions.” Chakraborty emphasized that AI systems built with customer centricity, human judgment, and responsible guardrails can foster a foundation of trust between businesses and their customers.
Parth Sangnani
Parth Sangnani, Principal Product Manager for Microsoft 365 Copilot, discussed the challenges of large-scale AI deployment. He noted, “In today’s world, supply is no longer the constraint; quality and judgment are.” Sangnani stressed that while AI systems can generate information at scale, the responsibility for decision-making must always rest with humans, ensuring that ethical considerations are maintained.
Anshuman Mansingh
Adding to the industry perspective, Anshuman Mansingh, Vice President & Asia Pacific Lead at Google, remarked, “AI systems must be built thoughtfully, with developers remaining accountable for outcomes.” He highlighted that India is emerging as a significant player in the global AI landscape and that sustainability is increasingly becoming a challenge that intertwines data and technology.
Commitment to Responsible Innovation
As the conclave concluded, IIM Kashipur reiterated its commitment to fostering responsible innovation and strengthening industry-academia collaboration. AVINYA 2.0 provided a valuable platform for participants to engage in discussions about the future of design, AI, and sustainability, equipping students with practical insights into how ideas can be transformed into real-world impact.
Conclusion
In summary, AVINYA 2.0 at IIM Kashipur was a significant event that brought together thought leaders from various fields to discuss the critical intersection of innovation, AI, and sustainability. The insights shared during the conclave highlighted the importance of ethical and responsible approaches to technology and design, ensuring that the innovations of tomorrow are both impactful and sustainable.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on the events and discussions that took place during the AVINYA 2.0 conclave at IIM Kashipur.
