Speakers at leadership summit emphasise on sustained deliberation on role of AI in critical sectors
Ashok Shettar, Rector of KLE University of Technology, emphasized the need for a continuous discussion on the role of Artificial Intelligence and its impacts on critical sectors such as education, banking, defense and healthcare.
He delivered the keynote address at the BVB KLE Technology Leadership Summit – 2026 at the KLE Tech Auditorium in Hubballi on Saturday. The summit was organized by KLE University of Technology Hubballi in collaboration with BVB KLE Technology Alumni Association and on three emerging themes (Artificial Intelligence and Automation, Semiconductor and Embedded Systems and Global Capability Centres).
Prof. Shettar also emphasized the urgency of closing the talent gap in the semiconductor sector in line with national policies and evolving industry requirements.
Vector Informatik India Pvt. Its President, Brahmanand Patil, delivered the keynote speech on “Global Realignments: Technology, Trade and Talent”. Ltd. detailed how an AI-enabled ecosystem is setting new benchmarks in the automotive industry, highlighting the rise of vehicles designed to be upgraded for AI functions, the emergence of software-defined mobility powered by in-car vehicle operating systems, and the increasing use of AI for simulation and testing.
He called for accelerating automotive innovation through high-impact industry partnerships.
Welcoming the meeting, Ram Kerur, CEO of Sunlux Technovations and Chairman of the Global Executive Committee of BVB KLE Tech Alumni Association, underlined the value of continuous alumni engagement and industry-academia collaboration in shaping future-ready professionals.
The summit brought together industry leaders, academics, graduates and professionals for an in-depth discussion of technology-driven transformation.
In the first panel discussion titled “Physical Artificial Intelligence: Bridging Intelligence and the Real World,” Lokesh Boregowda, senior director, Samsung R&D Institute, Bengaluru; Derick Jose, General Manager of Industrial AI at Accenture, and Rengarajan Seshadri, Vice President of Strategic Alliances at Ati Robotics.
In the second panel titled “FinTech Fireside: Technology-Driven Financial Transformation – Opportunities and Challenges”, Financial Services, Accenture General Manager Raghavendra Kerur and Bosch Global Software Technologies Director Suma Linganagoudar, moderated by Lucas TVS Ltd. Sudheendra Naganur, Chief Technology Officer of the Software and Services Department, took part.
In the third panel titled “Building India’s Semiconductor and Embedded Talent Pipeline”, Naveen Muddu Krishna, Director of Product Engineering, Sandisk; Manoj Kumar Yadav, president, Samsung R&D Institute, Bangalore; Shantanu Prabhudesai, Director, Automotive Applications Engineering, Infineon Technologies and Sunil G. Acharya, Director, Semiconductor Future Accelerator Lab Foundation.
Open discussion and participation roadmap session on “Industry-Academia Cooperation Dialogue” was held by Dr. It was directed by Lokesh Boregowda and chaired by PG Tewari, Vice-Chancellor of KLE University of Technology.
It was published – 23 May 2026 23:24 IST
