International Conference on HumAInity

Gnanam School of Business successfully organized an International Conference titled “HUMAInity: Human Capital • Technology • Sustainability”, bringing together thought leaders from academia and industry to explore the evolving intersection of humanity and artificial intelligence.

The conference was graced by Chief Guest Vinoth Kishore, HR Manager at Gigamon, India Headquarters. In his inaugural address, The chief guest began with a thought-provoking question on whether humanity in AI is anticipated or imposed. The session emphasized using AI as a strategic partner rather than fearing it. Addressing Gen Z concerns, the speaker clarified that AI amplifies talent, not replaces it. The SAGE framework– Strategy, Augmentation, Governance,and Ecology was introduced to guide effective AI use. Three types of AI were discussed: Narrow, Generative, and Agentic. The speaker stressed that AI updates humans, not replaces them, and must remain under human control. Key irreplaceable skills include AI literacy, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

The event featured distinguished keynote speakers who enriched the conference with their insights:

• Dr. N. Vivek, Professor of Practice at Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai, who spoke The chief guest highlighted real-world applications of AI, including a student-developed ERP software and bots used globally. He explained how tools like ChatGPT can be integrated with Google Sheets, Excel, and Copilot to improve productivity. He also mentioned Google’s Gamma browser, which works without internet. While LLMs are powerful, they are weak in numerical accuracy; hence tools like Notebook LLM are useful for data tables.

Real-world examples showed AI’s impact: pancreatic cancer detection improved from 64% to 94%, flood forecasting now provides 7-day warnings in 80 countries, and AI is addressing issues like superbugs, power failures, and mental health crises.

• Dr. Akanksha Jaiswal from Loyola Institute of Business Administration, who discussed the evolving role of HR in fostering employee well-being, diversity, and technological adaptability. explained why companies lay off employees, linking it to industry trends and AI-driven changes. She emphasized responsible AI use and compared it with past revolutions. Unlike earlier shifts that replaced physical labour, AI now targets cognitive labour and can replicate expertise, making reskilling more difficult. She also highlighted concerns about power concentration.

From a sustainability perspective, AI consumes both cognitive and physical resources, with global and less visible environmental impacts. Issues like water scarcity and increased energy use were discussed. She concluded that, unlike previous revolutions, AI may concentrate industries rather than create new ones.

The conference served as a vibrant platform for researchers, academicians, and industry professionals to exchange ideas, present research papers, and deliberate on contemporary challenges in human capital management and sustainability.

The conference witnessed a total of 120 participants, including both online and offline modes. A total of 54 papers were presented, including both offline and online presentations , reflecting strong academic engagement across formats.

The event was coordinated by Dr. S. Anjali Daisy, Associate Professor, Gnanam School of Business. The event also witnessed the esteemed presence of Dr. S.P.S. Arul Doss, Chief Executive Officer of GSB and Dr. Isaac Johny, Associate Professor, whose presence added great value and encouragement to the academic gathering.

The “HUMAInity” conference reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and its vision of nurturing responsible leaders capable of integrating human values with technological progress.