RAITB-NFL Conference Illuminates AI’s Transformative Role Across Industries

Inaugural Ceremony: Setting the Tone

The conference began on November 28, 2024, with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and Saraswati Vandana by IILM students. Dr. Sheetal Sharma, Dean Academics at IILM Lucknow and the Conference Patron, introduced the conference’s concept note, highlighting AI’s critical role in business transformation. Keynote speakers Prof. Alok Kumar Rai (VC, University of Lucknow), Dr. Akbar Saeed (Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada), and Dr. Vibhuti Gupta (Professor and Associate Dean, IILM Lucknow) discussed topics such as algorithmic bias, ethical AI practices, and AI-augmented leadership. The event set the stage for meaningful discussions on AI’s challenges and opportunities across industries.

Day 1: 

Day 1 featured Technical Session 1, chaired by Prof. Manisha Seth (Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow) and moderated by Dr. Vibhuti Gupta (IILM Lucknow). Presentations from institutions like IILM Lucknow,IFTM University, University of Lucknow, St. Xavier's College Maitighar, Nepal, and Jamia Hamdard explored AI’s impact on banking, recruitment, consumer engagement, financial literacy, and branding. Discussions focused on AI’s ability to enhance efficiency and streamline processes while addressing ethical and privacy challenges.

Day 2: 

Day 2 included three technical sessions:

• Technical Session 2, chaired by Prof. Shailesh Kaushal (University of Lucknow) and moderated by Prof. Suchita Vishwakarma (IILM Lucknow), emphasized ethical AI and sustainable practices.

Presentations from Aligarh Muslim University, NSB Academy, and IILM Lucknow, amongst others, explored themes like bias mitigation, sustainable finance, and AI’s role in supply chain sustainability.

• Technical Session 3, chaired by Dr. Pavnesh Kumar (IGNOU) and moderated by Dr. Sheetal Sharma (IILM Lucknow), delved into transformative business models and customer interaction. Contributions from D.N. College, and SOIL Institute of Management, amongst others, highlighted AI’s potential to enhance decision-making, cybersecurity, and business models.

• Technical Session 4, chaired by Prof. Ihtiram Raza Khan (Jamia Hamdard) and moderated by Mr. Tauseef Irfan (IILM Lucknow), examined securing business operations with AI, focusing on AI-driven threat detection, inventory management, and operational efficiency. Participating institutions included IILM Lucknow and University of Lucknow, amongst others.

Day 3: 

Day 3 featured Technical Session 5, chaired by Prof. Samriti Mahajan (Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth) and moderated by Dr. Fawad Khan (IILM Lucknow), and explored AI’s transformative potential in sectors like healthcare, branding, and hospitality. Institutions like UPES and Jamia Hamdard, amongst others, presented innovative research on AI’s role in branding strategies, journalism, and employee perceptions in robotics.

Valedictory Ceremony: A Fitting Conclusion

The valedictory ceremony, reflected on the conference’s key achievements. Dr. Sheetal Sharma, Dean Academics at IILM Lucknow, delivered the welcome address. The Chief Guest, Prof. Arunabha Mukhopadhyay (Professor, IIM Lucknow), discussed the critical role of AI in driving business transformation and gaining competitive advantage. Keynote speaker Prof. Ayesha Farooq (AMU) emphasized the importance of the responsible use of AI to create meaningful and inclusive impact across industries.

Prof. Vibhuti Gupta, Conference Chair, presented the conference report, summarizing the research highlights and discussions over the three days. Best paper awards and certificates of gratitude were distributed, recognizing the outstanding contributions of participants and dignitaries. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Tauseef Irfan (IILM Lucknow), who acknowledged the efforts of the organizing committee and participants in making the conference a success.

Overall Outcomes

The RAITB-NFL Conference served as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, fostering collaboration between academia and industry to address the challenges and opportunities posed by AI. Across three days, the conference bridged theoretical insights and practical applications, paving the way for actionable strategies to leverage AI responsibly and inclusively.