Pro Chancellor of KLE Technological University Ashok Shettar has emphasised the need for a sustained deliberation on the role of Artificial Intelligence and its implications across critical sectors such as education, banking, defence, and healthcare

He was delivering the inaugural address at BVB KLE Tech Leadership Summit – 2026 at the KLE Tech Auditorium in Hubballi on Saturday. The summit was organised by KLE Technological University, Hubballi, in association with the BVB KLE Tech Alumni Association and on three emerging themes – Artificial Intelligence and Automation, Semiconductor and Embedded Systems, and Global Capability Centres.

Prof. Shettar also emphasised the urgency of bridging the talent gap in the semiconductor sector in alignment with national policies and evolving industry requirements.

Delivering the keynote address on “Global Realignments: Technology, Trade and Talent”,  Brahmanand Patil, president, Vector Informatik India Pvt. Ltd., elaborated on how an AI-enabled ecosystem was setting new benchmarks in the automotive sector, pointing to the rise of vehicles designed to be upgraded for AI functionalities, the emergence of software-defined mobility powered by on-board vehicle operating systems, and the growing use of AI for simulation and testing.

He called for accelerated automotive innovation through high-impact industry partnerships.

Welcoming the gathering, Ram Kerur, CEO, Sunlux Technovations and chairman, Global Executive Committee, BVB KLE Tech Alumni Association, underscored the value of sustained alumni engagement and industry–academia collaboration in shaping future-ready professionals.

The summit brought together industry leaders, academicians, alumni, and professionals for in-depth deliberations on technology-driven transformation.

The first panel discussion, “Physical AI: Bridging Intelligence with the Real World,” featured Lokesh Boregowda, senior director, Samsung R&D Institute, Bengaluru; Derick Jose, managing director, Industrial AI, Accenture, and Rengarajan Seshadri, vice-president, Strategic Alliances, Ati Robotics.

A second panel, “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 and Service Division, Lucas TVS Ltd., as moderator.

The third panel, “Building India’s Semiconductor and Embedded Talent Pipeline,” brought together Naveen Muddu Krishna, Director of Product Engineering, 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.

An open discussion and engagement roadmap session on “Industry–Academia Collaboration Dialogue” was led by Dr. Lokesh Boregowda and chaired by P.G. Tewari, Vice Chancellor, KLE Technological University.