Record-Breaking Attendance Signals Momentum for AI-Driven Change

The 7th edition of EDNXT Bengaluru 2026, hosted by The Economic Times Education at the Conrad Bengaluru on February 5, drew a staggering 684 delegates, shattering expectations and underscoring the urgency of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping India's higher education landscape. Education leaders, vice chancellors, policymakers from the Karnataka government, and edtech innovators converged under the theme "The Education Transformation: AI, Access & Acceleration." This gathering highlighted AI not as a novelty but as a core driver for equitable access, innovative pedagogy, and future-ready skilling in universities and colleges across India.

Government dignitaries set the tone during the inaugural ceremony. Khushboo Goel Chowdhary, Secretary of the Higher Education Department, Government of Karnataka, pledged to diffuse AI across campuses and research ecosystems, emphasizing inclusive reforms. Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Director of IIM Bangalore, advocated for translational research and leadership development in the AI era, while Mohammad Mohsin, Additional Chief Secretary for Medical Education, discussed blending technology with clinical pathways. These addresses framed AI as essential for India's ambition to become a global knowledge hub, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's vision for multidisciplinary, tech-enabled learning.

Empowering Faculty: Preparing Educators for AI Integration

A pivotal mega panel, "Empowering the Educator: Faculty Readiness in an AI-Transformed Higher Ed System," tackled the human element of technological shift. Moderated by Shantheri Mallaya, Editor at ETCIO & CISO, panelists including Prof. B Ravi (Director, NIT Surathkal), Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam (Director, Indian Institute of Astrophysics), and Prof. Basuthkar Jagadeeshwar Rao (Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad) stressed comprehensive faculty development programs. They called for change management strategies to integrate AI across disciplines, from engineering to astrophysics.

DP Nagaraj, Pro Chancellor of RV University, highlighted the need for strategic digital upskilling, noting that without it, institutions risk obsolescence. Abhay G Chebbi, Pro-Chancellor of Alliance University, urged a balanced approach: leveraging AI for efficiency while preserving critical thinking. This session revealed a consensus that AI tools like adaptive learning platforms can personalize instruction but require faculty training to avoid over-reliance. Recent surveys, such as the EY-FICCI AI Adoption Survey of 2025, show 60% of Indian universities permitting student AI use, yet faculty readiness lags, prompting calls for dedicated AI literacy modules in professional development.

Global Partnerships: Elevating India's Academic Footprint

The panel "India and the World: The Next Evolution of Global Higher Education Partnerships," moderated by Yasmin Taj, explored collaborative models. Dr. Sekar Viswanathan (Vice President, Vellore Institute of Technology) and Salman Ahmed (Vice President, Presidency University) discussed joint programs with international peers, focusing on student exchanges and co-developed curricula infused with AI. Dr. Narayani Ramachandran from NMIMS Bangalore emphasized cultural adaptability in these alliances.

Industry voices like Jaysheel Singh from IndiqAI and Gaurav Modi from Vertoz Ltd. pointed to AI-enabled platforms facilitating seamless cross-border credential recognition. These partnerships aim to address workforce gaps, with NEP 2020 encouraging foreign university campuses and research collaborations. For aspiring academics, such global exposure opens doors to faculty positions in international programs. The discussion positioned India as a magnet for global talent, bolstered by Bengaluru's tech ecosystem.

AI Fuels Interdisciplinary Research Breakthroughs

In "Accelerating Innovation: How AI and Interdisciplinary Research Are Powering the Next Wave of Knowledge Creation," leaders like Dr. P Varalakshmi (Director, AI & Data Science Research, Anna University) and Dr. G Pardha Saradhi Varma (Vice Chancellor, KL University) showcased AI's role in cross-disciplinary projects. Prof. Ashok S Alur (Vice Chancellor, Kodagu University) shared examples of AI optimizing agricultural research, while Dr. Madhavan Rajeevan (Vice Chancellor, Atria University) highlighted predictive modeling in sustainability studies.

Edtech CTOs like Srikanth Yellapragada from CampX demonstrated tools accelerating data analysis, reducing research timelines by up to 40%. This aligns with broader trends: a 2025 NITI Aayog report notes over 60% of colleges using AI tools, boosting publication rates in elite institutions like IITs. Panelists recommended incentivizing AI-blockchain hybrids for secure data sharing, fostering India's research output amid global competition.

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Reimagining Campus Life and Student Experience

The session "Beyond Academics: How India’s Universities Are Competing on Campus Life and Student Experience" shifted focus to holistic development. Rajiv Tandon (CEO, BITS Pilani Digital) and Prof. Sanjay Kumar Singh (IIT BHU) discussed AI-powered wellness apps and smart dorms enhancing retention. Dr. Monit Kapoor (Amity University Bengaluru) advocated gamified campus events, while Nishtha Shukla Anand (Shoolini University) stressed mental health integration.

Industry partners like Sohom Dutta from ScholarZ emphasized AI analytics for personalized extracurriculars. These initiatives attract top talent, with universities reporting 15-20% enrollment boosts. For students, vibrant campuses translate to better employability; explore opportunities at higher ed jobs platforms to join innovative institutions.

AI's Evolution: From Automation to True Intelligence

The closing mega panel, "From Automation to Intelligence: How AI Is Rewriting the Higher Education Experience," featured Dr. Easwaran Iyer (Vice-Chancellor, Arka JAIN University) and Dr. Ayatakshee Sarkar (XLRI Jamshedpur). They detailed AI's progression to predictive advising and automated grading, freeing faculty for mentorship. Prof. Kishor Buddha (GITAM School of Core Engineering) cited AI simulations revolutionizing engineering labs.

Challenges like data privacy were addressed, with calls for ethical frameworks per NEP 2020. Over 50% of HEIs use generative AI for materials, per EY-FICCI, improving outcomes by 10-15% in pilots.

Google for Education Roundtable: Deploying Gemini at Scale

A highlight was the exclusive Google for Education Lunch Roundtable on "The AI Activation Roadmap: Deploying Gemini." Vice chancellors from University of Hyderabad, VIT Bengaluru, IIT BHU, Anna University, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, BITS Pilani, Shoolini, and Amity shared deployment strategies. Sanjay Jain, Country Head Google for Education, outlined Gemini's role in personalized tutoring and admin efficiency.

Success stories included 20% attendance improvements and streamlined research grants. Participants forged actionable roadmaps, signaling widespread adoption ahead. Learn more about AI skills for academic careers.

AI Adoption Surge in Indian Higher Education

EDNXT mirrored national trends: 60% of universities allow AI tools, with elite ones like IITs leading. Recent OpenAI partnerships with IIT Delhi, IIM Ahmedabad, AIIMS Delhi embed ChatGPT Edu campus-wide, targeting 100,000+ users. IIM Ahmedabad integrates AI into strategy and finance courses; IIT Delhi focuses on engineering AI fluency.

• IIT Madras: AI-powered BS in Data Science and Applications.
• Anna University: Dedicated AI research centers driving patents.
• VIT: Global AI collaborations yielding joint publications.

NEP 2020 mandates tech integration, aiming for 50% GER by 2035. Yet, smaller colleges lag, highlighting equity needs.

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Challenges, Solutions, and Stakeholder Perspectives

Stakeholders flagged faculty resistance, infrastructure gaps, and ethics. Solutions: phased training, public-private partnerships, policy incentives. Karnataka's reforms exemplify state-level action. Industry views stress skilling for AI jobs, projected at millions by 2030.

Future Outlook: AI as Catalyst for India's Higher Ed Leadership

EDNXT Bengaluru 2026 catalyzed commitments for AI governance, oral assessments, and computational thinking. With NEP 2020 and initiatives like OpenAI cohorts, India eyes top global rankings. Actionable insights: invest in AI infra, foster interdisciplinary centers, prioritize ethics.

For educators and job seekers, this transformation demands upskilling. Check Rate My Professor, Higher Ed Jobs, and Career Advice to navigate opportunities. EDNXT positions AI as the engine propelling India's higher education to global prominence.