Bodh Gaya: The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya (IIM Bodh Gaya) hosted the sixth edition of its annual management conclave, Gyanodaya 6.0, on September 19, bringing together industry leaders, HR professionals and academics to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace.
This year’s conclave was centred on the theme “Reimagining Work: Talent, Leadership And Performance In An AI-Driven World”.
The discussions focused on emerging trends in artificial intelligence, people management, talent and leadership decisions, employability and inclusive leadership.
Leadership In An AI-Driven Workplace
The opening session featured Dr Vinita S. Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya, along with Saritha Ramanath, Founder and CEO of Inspire Infosol; Alka Pandey, Data Science and AI Leader at Unilever; and Shivesh Singh, Head-Business-HR at Bandhan Bank.
The panel discussed how AI is becoming increasingly relevant to the way organisations work and lead. Speakers highlighted the importance of combining technology with critical thinking, ethical judgment, empathy, adaptability and continuous learning.
Dr Sahay said knowledge, learning and growth require consistency, commitment and discipline. She also emphasised the importance of investing in capabilities and knowledge to build long-term value.
Employability Beyond Academic Scores
The second session, focused on Human Resources in the Modern Era, featured Atul Kumar Sharma, Senior Director, Recruitment, Campus Cell, Teleperformance; Shewtha Nayak, HR Director, Arcadis; and Arpita Pamnani, Head, Talent Acquisition and Campus Hiring, Credit Saison India.
The panel discussed how employability increasingly extends beyond academic performance. While CGPA and academic credentials remain relevant, employers are also looking for communication skills, practical experience and the ability to demonstrate acquired capabilities.
Speakers highlighted adaptability, creativity, collaboration and solution-oriented thinking as important skills for candidates entering the workplace.
AI, Strategy And Digital Transformation
The third panel focused on “AI-Driven Business: Strategy, Digital Transformation And Data-Driven Decisions”.
The session featured Manavi Pathak, Head of Learning and Organisational Development at Samsung R&D Institute India; Harshit Nigam, Managing Director/Partner for Supply Chain & Operations at Accenture; Suraj Singh, CIO and COO at Inspire Infosol; and Abhay Bhadani, Head of AI and Digital Transformation at GM CK Birla Healthcare.
The discussion examined the capabilities required as businesses adopt AI-driven tools and processes. Speakers stressed that effective AI adoption involves understanding where and how technology can create business value, rather than simply introducing new tools.
Strong fundamentals, curiosity, continuous learning and human judgment were identified as important capabilities for professionals working alongside AI.
Human Judgment In Data-Driven Decisions
The concluding panel, “When Data Meets Judgment: The Human Edge in Talent and Leadership Decisions”, brought together Varun G, University Relations Leader at Nokia; Ravi Rangaraju, HR Director, People Leader and Advisory at Thomson Reuters; Surobheet Bhowmik, Group Head-HR at Capitalmind Financial Services; and Akshay Rakshit, Associate General Manager-Talent Acquisition and Strategy at Hyundai Motors India.
The panel discussed the role of human judgment as organisations increasingly rely on data and AI for workplace and talent decisions.
Speakers emphasised that professionals will need to combine data, technology, domain knowledge and human judgment as workplace practices continue to evolve.
Focus On Future-Ready Managers
The conclave concluded with reflections on the day’s discussions and a vote of thanks by Prof. Rajani Suresh, who expressed gratitude to the visiting speakers and dignitaries.
The sessions covered HR, learning, technology, leadership and digital transformation, with discussions centred on how professionals and organisations can adapt to an AI-driven workplace.
Through Gyanodaya 6.0, IIM Bodh Gaya brought together academic and industry perspectives on the changing nature of work and the skills required for future workplaces.
