THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 8, 2026
Emphasising that the future of work lies in collaboration
between humans and technology, Sanjeev Agarwal, CEO of Protiviti Member Firm
for the Middle East and India, said, “It is about Humans and AI, not Humans vs
AI,” while addressing the 17th National HR Conclave at KIIT School of
Management (KSOM).
Delivering the keynote address at the conclave, themed “The
Equalising Effect of Generative AI: Bridging the Skills Gap,” Agarwal
highlighted how Generative AI is transforming talent acquisition, performance
management and workforce development. He noted that AI has the potential to
democratise access to knowledge and learning resources, thereby helping bridge
skill gaps across diverse sections of society. As organisations become
increasingly technology-driven, he added, the HR function is at a critical
turning point.
Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, KIIT-DU, formally
inaugurated the conclave and stressed the need for a responsible and
human-centric approach to AI integration. While acknowledging AI’s potential to
bridge skill gaps, he underscored the importance of inclusivity and ethical
decision-making in its adoption.
Earlier, Prof. Kumar Mohanty, Director, KSOM, welcomed the
gathering and spoke about the growing relevance of AI-driven transformation in
HR practices. He emphasised the need for continuous upskilling in a rapidly
evolving professional landscape.
The inaugural session also witnessed the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening academia-industry
collaboration. The keynote speaker was felicitated, and the winners of the
pre-conclave competitions were announced.
The conclave featured two parallel panel discussions on “AI for All or AI for Few? The Reality of Skill Equalisation,” during which experts debated whether AI is genuinely bridging opportunity gaps or creating new divides. Key issues, including digital accessibility, algorithmic bias and inclusive learning ecosystems, were discussed.
In the second half of the conclave, Synergistics — interactive workshops and expert-led sessions — were organised on topics including AI in HR, the impact of Gen Z on hybrid workplaces, the use of AI to reduce workload and stress, and the role of employee voice in AI implementation.
