Deep Tech and the Global Race for Technological Leadership- From Innovation to Societal Impact
7th and 8th March 2025
Objective-
● To gain insights into how Deep Tech is influencing various business domains.
● To understand the geopolitical implications of technological advancements in business
● To explore the innovation dynamics that drive technological leadership
● To assess the societal impact of Deep Tech innovations on global and local communities.
● To identify the challenges and opportunities in the Deep Tech and the global race for technological leadership
Description -
The International Conference on Deep Tech and the Global Race for Technological Leadership- From Innovation to Societal Impact was a landmark event that brought together experts, scholars, and thought leaders from diverse fields to delve into the multifaceted aspects of Bharat's journey towards technological leadership. The conference served as a platform for thought leaders, industry professionals, and academia to discuss the transformative potential of Deep Tech.
For the International Conference, the institute had associated with SAGE’s South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, Journal of Emerging Market Finance (EMF) Scopus listed Journals, towards the publication of Special Issue for the International Conference.
The conference inaugural programme was attended by Dr. Vijay Joshi, Consultant and Eminent Indo-Australian (OAM: Order of Australia Medal), from Holsworthy, New South Wales, Australia. He was joined by Dr. Vinaykumar Acharya, Member Governing Body of Deccan Education Society, and Dr. Shikha Jain, Director, IMDR.
A compelling discussion on use of technology took place between Dr. Vijay Joshi and Mr. Aniket Anikhindi, Engineering Lead at Druva Software, Pune. The conversation delved into technological adaptation and innovation-driven growth. He has discussed the innovative use of SLAG, a by-product of steel and iron industry in laying of the Asphaltic roads with better friction value and long life. AI can assist in designing energy-efficient infrastructure. AI enhances sustainable infrastructure by optimizing resource allocation, improving efficiency, and enabling data-driven decision-making through advanced analytics and machine learning.
The conference featured a distinguished lineup of speakers who have made significant contributions in the Deep Tech domain. Mr. Vishal Ratan, Global Ag-Tech Lead at PepsiCo, Pune, spoke on the impact of Deep Tech on the Ag-Tech industry. He said that emphasis should be on only those solutions that need to fit ROI. Sustainability is the key, access to opportunities, customizable, legal and localised solutions should be the focus of Deep Tech in the Agriculture sector. Technology equips farmers to make their farms climate resilient with precise actionable tasks such as emergency alerts one week in advance, accurate predictions for yield and fertilizer requirements.
Dr. Bhooshan Kelkar, Director of Neuflex Talent Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Pune, shared insights on The Role of Intellectual Property in Deep Tech Innovation (Saraswati to Lakshmi). He had shared the new meaning of BC to AD i.e. Before Chat GPT to After DeepTech. He emphasized that core job skills in 2030 will be Critical Thinking and Technological Literacy. New, useful and non-obvious are the criteria to fit into prospective patentable inventions. IPR taken on technology will help in attracting better funding avenues, potential partnerships and a legal barrier that no other can copy it.
An extensive panel discussion brought together experts from IT, healthcare, education, cybersecurity, and the economy. The panelists included Dr. Pushkar Khair, Head, Medical Education and Research, Ethosh Digital, Pune, Mr. Parthjit Kayal, Placement-Faculty Advisor, MA Program, Madras School of Economics, Chennai, Mr. Dhananjay Rajopadhye, Founder and Director, Kalpan Infonomics, Pune and Mr. Abhijeet Limaye, Cybersecurity Practitioner and Educator, Independent Consultant – Product Service and Trainings. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Dharmesh Gala, Director, AI and Robotics, Accurate Industrial Controls Private Limited, Pune. The panel explored the impact and scope of DeepTech. Few key points discussed include:
AI tools are not a substitute, there is a need to use it for augmenting knowledge. Use of AR/VR tools to teach various core subjects as well as soft skills through simulation exercises is enhancing the learning experience. Predictive analysis can be used to better understand the needs of students. Curriculum should be enriched by adding Deeptech in it, so that the students can understand its applicability. In the medical field also AI can’t replace doctors, but doctors with AI knowledge will surely replace doctors without AI knowledge. Domain knowledge with right use of technology is bringing better health care at affordable rates. Deeptech is in the learning phase, it will take some time to get a perfect predictability rate.
Regulatory aspect of DeepTech is very important to understand such as the Digital Data Protection Act (DDPA) as well as Cyber security guidelines. It is very important to understand the type of personal data that we are giving to social media and how deep tech can give information through it to visa granting authorities, regulatory agencies, insurance, e-commerce companies and recruiters. Use DeepTech tools to find out the solutions while taking into consideration the ethical side of it so as to take acre of deep fake issues. Data bias and data privacy breach need to be taken care of. Generative AI which is based on machine learning models can create original content such as text, images, video, audio or software code in response to a user’s prompt or request. AI and ML can be used to do better risk management and predicting credit default with timely management.
The conference witnessed the presentation of 52 research papers from 6 states covering a broad spectrum of Deep Tech applications such as (ML), Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Algorithmic Trading, Sustainable Finance, ESG, Robo-Advisors, Banking Innovation, Digital Transformation, Cloud Computing, Software as a Service (SaaS), Gamification, E-Commerce, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Supply Chain Optimization, Smart Logistics, Precision Agriculture, Drones in Agriculture, AI in Healthcare, Wearable Technology, Predictive Analytics, Quantum Technologies, Data Privacy, Aviation Security, Smart Energy Systems, Education Technology (EdTech), and Geopolitical Impact of Technology.
The conference also featured a dedicated session, Deep Tech Dialogues: Presenting Research that Redefines Industries, where researchers showcased innovative studies pushing the frontiers of Deep Tech. The session was chaired by a distinguished panel of external experts.
A total of 112 researchers from corporate, entrepreneurial, and academic backgrounds actively participated, making the event a hub for knowledge exchange. The winners of the Best Paper awards were announced during the valedictory function
The conference concluded with a valedictory function chaired by Dr. K.C. Vora, Advisor, BAJA SAEINDIA, Consultant and chair, ASDC Expert Group on Electric Vehicles, Co-Founder, Gudlyf Mobility Pvt Ltd, Chairman, Dr. Vora emphasized the critical need for sustainable Deep Tech solutions to drive societal progress. He highlighted the importance of fostering innovation in electric mobility, renewable energy, and smart infrastructure to build a more resilient and environmentally conscious future.
Through the presentation of research papers, panel discussions, and keynote addresses, we have woven a rich tapestry of ideas, insights, and aspirations. Each contribution, whether spoken or written, has added depth and nuance to our collective understanding of India's path to prominence on the world stage.
