IIT Mandi Hosts Himalayan Business Summit (HiBS) 2026 on AI-Led Business Transformation
Mumbai: The School of Management at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi successfully organised the third edition of its national-level annual industry conclave, Himalayan Business Summit (HiBS) 2026, focusing on AI-led business transformation, leadership, and responsible decision-making.
The two-day summit brought together senior industry leaders and technology experts from leading organisations including Raymond Limited, Kirloskar Management Service, VDart Digital, NDTV Profit, Religare Housing Development Finance Corporation, DBS Bank, Target, SAP, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), National Aluminium Company Limited, and several others.
HiBS 2026 centred on three key themes: reimagining traditional Indian sectors through AI, leadership strategies for AI-driven growth, and responsible AI as a long-term competitive advantage. Discussions explored the application of AI across manufacturing, services, MSMEs, sustainability-led businesses, and policy-driven ecosystems, with an emphasis on ethical adoption and scalable business outcomes.
Addressing the summit, Prof. Anjan Swain, Chair, School of Management, IIT Mandi, said, “India is at a critical stage in its AI journey, where the focus must move from experimentation to execution. HiBS 2026 has been designed to help leaders address challenges related to AI adoption and its role in driving sustainable growth.”
The summit featured a keynote address by Chief Guest Chitta Ranjan Mohapatra, Director In-Charge, Bhilai Steel Plant (SAIL). A student case competition was also conducted, enabling participants to gain hands-on exposure to real-world AI-driven business use cases.
Through initiatives such as HiBS 2026, IIT Mandi continues to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry while promoting responsible and impact-oriented AI adoption. The School of Management also offers a specialised MBA in Data Science and AI, launched in 2022, with graduates increasingly being recruited by leading organisations.
