ICC hosts ‘Humans First – AI Forward Forum’ in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, March 18: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on Wednesday organised the ‘Humans First – AI Forward Forum’ summit in the city, bringing together stakeholders from industry, academia, government, and the startup ecosystem to deliberate on building a human-centric roadmap for Karnataka’s artificial intelligence (AI) future.
Held under the theme “Human First, AI Forward – Building Karnataka’s Human-Centric Skills Blueprint,” the summit focused on aligning technological advancement with ethical, inclusive, and future-ready workforce development.
In his welcome address, Amitabh Ray, Chairman of the ICC National Expert Committee on Technology and Innovation, said the future of work would depend on effective collaboration between humans and AI. While automation could impact certain routine roles, he observed that a human-first approach could ensure that job creation keeps pace with displacement, thereby strengthening productivity and economic resilience.
Anuj Vaid, Vice President of Kyndryl India, in his special address, emphasised the importance of embedding inclusion, diversity, and equity in organisational practices. He cautioned against adopting AI as a trend, urging companies instead to focus on its practical utility. According to him, diverse teams tend to foster stronger innovation and deliver better outcomes.
Delivering the keynote, Chenraj Roychand, President of Jain University, highlighted the need to prepare a generation of adaptable and ethically grounded talent capable of navigating an AI-driven economy. He stressed that human capital development must evolve rapidly in response to technological acceleration.
Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, who attended as Guest of Honour, pointed to the State’s growing leadership in digital innovation. He underlined the need to ensure that AI-led growth remains inclusive and socially relevant.
The summit also marked the launch of the ICC Karnataka IT Committee and the release of a knowledge report titled “Humans & AI: The Journey Together,” which outlines opportunities and challenges in adopting responsible, people-centric AI across sectors.
Subash Venkitaraman, Chair of the ICC Karnataka State Chapter Expert Committee on Technology and Innovation and CFO of Kyndryl India, summarised the inaugural session and delivered the vote of thanks.
The event featured panel discussions on future skills, the role of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in shaping business outcomes, and emerging opportunities for startups. Participants discussed the intersection of technology and creativity, evolving academic frameworks, and the need for industry-aligned skill development.
Concluding the summit, Mr. Ray reiterated ICC’s commitment to fostering a balanced ecosystem where human potential and AI can progress together to support sustainable growth in Karnataka and beyond.
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