Speakers at the summit highlight the ongoing debate about the role of artificial intelligence in critical sectors
KLE University of Technology Chancellor Ashok Shettar emphasized the need for continued consideration of the role of artificial intelligence and its implications in critical sectors such as education, banking, defense and healthcare.
On Saturday, he delivered the inaugural address at the BVB KLE Tech Leadership Summit – 2026 at the KLE Tech Auditorium in Hubballi. The summit was organized by KLE University of Technology, Hubballi, in association with BVB KLE Tech Alumni Association and on three emerging themes – Artificial Intelligence and Automation, Semiconductor and Embedded Systems and Global Capability Centers.
Prof. Shettar also emphasized the urgency of bridging the talent gap in the semiconductor sector in line with national policies and evolving industry requirements.
Brahmanand Patil, President, Vector Informatik India Pvt. Ltd., elaborated on how the AI ecosystem is setting new benchmarks in the automotive sector, pointing to the rise of vehicles designed to be upgraded with AI features, the emergence of software-defined mobility powered by vehicle on-board operating systems, and the growing use of AI for simulation and testing.
He called for accelerating innovation in the automotive industry through high-impact industry partnerships.
Ram Kerur, CEO, Sunlux Technovations and Chairman, Global Executive Committee, BVB KLE Tech Alumni Association, welcomed the gathering, emphasizing the value of sustained alumni engagement and industry-academia collaboration in shaping future-ready professionals.
The summit brought together industry leaders, academics, alumni and professionals for an in-depth reflection on technology-driven transformation.
The first panel discussion, “Physical Artificial Intelligence: Bridging Intelligence with the Real World”, featured Lokesh Boregowda, Senior Director, Samsung R&D Institute, Bengaluru; Derick Jose, Executive Director, Industrial AI, Accenture, and Rengarajan Seshadri, Vice President, Strategic Alliances, Ati Robotics.
The second panel titled ‘FinTech Fireside: Technology-led Financial Transformation – Opportunities and Challenges’ featured Raghavendra Kerur, Managing Director, Financial Services, Accenture, and Suma Linganagoudar, Director, Bosch Global Software Technologies, with Sudheendra Naganur, Chief Technology Officer, Software & Services Division, Lucas TVS Ltd., as moderator.
The third panel, “Building India’s Semiconductor and Embedded Talent Pipeline,” featured Naveen Muddu Krishna, director of product engineering at Sandisk; Manoj Kumar Yadav, Head, Samsung R&D Institute, Bangalore; Shantanu Prabhudesai, Director, Automotive Applications Engineering, Infineon Technologies, and Sunil G. Acharya, Director, Semiconductor Future Accelerator Lab Foundation.
The open discussion and engagement plan on the topic “Dialogue of collaboration between industry and academia” was led by Dr. Lokesh Boregowda and was chaired by PG Tewari, Vice-Chancellor, KLE University of Technology.
Published – 23 May 2026 23:24 IST