Bodh Gaya, Sept 20: The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya hosted the sixth edition of its annual management conclave, Gyanodaya 6.0, on September 19, 2026. This year's conclave was centred on the theme "Reimagining work: Talent, leadership and performance in an AI-driven world".
The event featured four engaging panel discussions that delved into emerging trends in AI and strategies for people management, the human edge in talent and leadership decisions, and inclusive leadership. It provided a platform for industry leaders, HR professionals, and academia to deliberate and examine how the world of work is evolving and what it means for organisations and the people within them.
Kicking off the deliberations, Dr Vinita S. Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya, noted that knowledge, learning, and growth require consistency, commitment, and the discipline to follow through on what we say. Prosperity is built on the foundation of knowledge. By investing in learning, developing capabilities, and nurturing wisdom, we lay the foundation for sustainable, long-term value. True progress, therefore, goes beyond immediate success; it begins with building the knowledge and capabilities that enable individuals and organisations to grow meaningfully over time.
The opening panel brought together Dr Vinita S. Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya; Saritha Ramanath, Founder and CEO - Inspire Infosol; Alka Pandey, Data Science and AI Leader, Unilever; and Shivesh Singh, Head-Business-HR, Bandhan Bank. The discussion explored that leadership is about people, purpose, and the ability to adapt. AI is becoming an important part of how we work and lead, so learning to use it is no longer optional. But AI alone cannot make someone a good leader. We also need critical thinking, ethical judgment, empathy, courage, and the willingness to keep learning. When people have a clear purpose, they enjoy their work, grow with it, and naturally perform better. The leaders of tomorrow will be those who can use AI effectively while still staying human.
The second session focused on Human Resources in the Modern Era. It featured Mr Atul Kumar Sharma, Sr. Director, Recruitment, Campus Cell, Teleperformance; Shewtha Nayak, HR Director, Arcadis; and Arpita Pamnani, Head, Talent Acquisition and Campus Hiring, Credit Saison India. The discussion highlighted that employability today goes beyond academic performance. While CGPA and academic credentials remain important, employers are increasingly looking for candidates who can communicate clearly, present their achievements effectively and demonstrate the skills they have gained through real-world experiences. Adaptability, creativity, collaboration and a solution-oriented mindset are becoming equally important. The key takeaway was clear: being career-ready is not just about getting through the resume screening, but about having the skills, confidence, and mindset to create value once given the opportunity.
The third session focused on, “AI - Driven business; Strategy, Digital Transformation and Data Driven Decisions,” featured Manavi Pathak, Head of Learning and Organizational Development at Samsung R&D Institute India; Harshit Nigam, Managing Director/Partner for Supply Chain & Operations at Accenture; Suraj Singh, CIO and COO at Inspire Infosol; and Abhay Bhadani, Head of AI and Digital Transformation at GM CK Birla Healthcare. The discussion examined the changing nature of AI-driven work and the capabilities it demands. Work lies not just in adopting new tools, but in knowing how and where to use them effectively. Strong fundamentals, continuous learning, curiosity, and human judgment will remain essential to realising meaningful business value from AI.
The concluding session, “When Data Meets Judgment: The Human Edge in Talent and Leadership Decisions”. It brought together Varun G - University Relations Leader - Nokia, Ravi Rangaraju - HR Director, People Leader and Advisory, Thomson Reuters, Surobheet Bhowmik - Group Head - HR, Capitalmind Financial Services, and Akshay Rakshit - Associate General Manager - Talent Acquisition and Strategy - Hyundai Motors India Limited. The discussion reinforced that the future of AI-driven work is not simply about adopting new tools, but about understanding where and how they can create meaningful value. Strong fundamentals, continuous learning, curiosity, and human judgment will remain essential as professionals adapt to an evolving workplace.
The conclave concluded with reflections on the discussions and a vote of thanks by Prof. Rajani Suresh, expressing deep gratitude to visiting dignitaries. AI may reshape the way we work, but the real transformation lies in how we learn, lead, and adapt. Gyanodaya 6.0 shared practical insights on HR, learning, technology, and leadership, reaffirming IIM Bodh Gaya’s commitment to developing mindful and future-ready managers.
