Data Science Summit 2023

During the opening address of the IIDS Data Science Summit 2023, Dean Madan Pillutla reaffirmed the Indian School of Business’s commitment to research as a means of addressing real-world problems. He underscored the significance of forums like this summit for fostering discussions on emerging technologies, such as Generative AI (GenAI), and stressed the need for their responsible development. Dean Pillutla also stressed the necessity of engaging various stakeholders in informed conversations about these technologies while cautioning against the sensationalism that often characterizes media coverage.

The Keynote Speaker, Sachin Arora, discussed the creative potential of GenAI, noting its ability to create, summarize, discover, and automate through intelligent interfaces. In his keynote address at the Data Science Summit, Sachin Arora explored the transformative potential of Generative AI (GenAI) in the realms of marketing and retail. He highlighted how GenAI is set to disrupt traditional business processes by introducing intelligent interfaces capable of automating and personalizing customer interactions, thereby driving increased revenue. Arora emphasized the shift from human-driven to AI-driven marketing, where virtual influencers and personalized digital avatars redefine customer engagement. He also discussed the technical challenges associated with fine-tuning GenAI models, noting the importance of strategies like Prompt Engineering and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to enhance contextual accuracy and extend the models' capabilities.

At the summit, RamaDevi Lanka showcased the innovative initiatives spearheaded by the Telangana state government in adopting AI across various sectors, balancing innovation with responsible governance by putting appropriate guardrails. She highlighted the state has identified technologies such as blockchain, drones, and IoT amongst others and is committed to set up Centers of Excellence to build a robust ecosystem supported by a comprehensive actionable policy framework. The government follows a structured approach that includes identification of problem, providing a solution, identifying & addressing painpoints, pilot implementation, and then scaling of successful models statewide. Committed to using technology for social good, she highlighted key initiatives undertaken by the Telangana government such as the Open Data Portal for innovation, AI-driven systems for law enforcement, and the adoption of climate-resilient practices in agriculture.

In a panel discussion on 'Hyper-personalisation: How brands are digitising In-store experience', moderated by Professor Madhu Viswanathan, panelists Alokedeep Singh, Srinivas Gopinath, Raam Nayakar, and Pankaj Jain engaged in a critical examination of the increasing relevance of individualized customer experiences in contemporary retail. The discussion emphasized the imperative for brands to utilize advanced technologies, such as AI-driven analytics, in-store applications, and RFID tags, to create highly personalized and seamless customer interactions. The panelists highlighted the importance of understanding individual customer preferences and contexts as key to enhancing customer satisfaction and fostering long-term loyalty. They also addressed the challenges of implementing these technologies across both online and offline platforms, with a focus on optimizing customer engagement and sales. The session concluded by underscoring the profound impact of hyper-personalization on the future trajectory of retail, particularly in aligning digital innovation with human-centric service.

Another insightful panel discussion, moderated by Professor Sudhir Voleti, centered on 'Generative AI: Security and Privacy.' The distinguished panelists, including Josey George, Pankaj Kumar, Pawan Desai, and Piyush Baranwal, delved into the multifaceted privacy concerns arising from the proliferation of data and large language models (LLMs). The panelists highlighted complexities of maintaining accountability in an environment where data ownership is increasingly ambiguous. The discussion also explored the balance between regulation and creative freedom, cautioning against overly restrictive measures that could stifle innovation. The panel addressed the evolving nature of polymorphic data and stressed the importance of legislation in clearly defining ownership and accountability at each stage of data use. The session concluded with a call for collaborative regulatory frameworks that involve government, industry, and international cooperation. The panelists emphasized the need for policies that support data expiry, advocate for secure-by-design systems, and ensure transparency, interpretability, and compliance in AI deployment.

In a session titled 'How AI Speaks to Indian Languages: Opportunities and Challenges,' moderated by Dr. Avik Sarkar, Senior Research Fellow at ISB’s Institute of Data Science (IIDS), the panelists explored the evolving landscape of AI adoption in Indian languages. Himanshu Sharma, Jatinder Kautish, Prasanta Ghosh, and Tulasi Menon discussed innovations in AI localization, focusing on its role in bridging language gaps and enhancing inclusivity across diverse sectors. The discussion highlighted the development of language-based applications, such as real-time dubbing, intelligent chatbots, and context-aware industry-specific translations, which reflect the creative power of linguistic diversity. The panel also addressed the challenges posed by India’s vast linguistic spectrum, which includes thousands of dialects and blended languages, advocating for the use of structural similarities between Indian languages to drive AI solutions. The session underscored the potential of AI as an enabler of positive change, particularly at the grassroots level, as its application expands in sectors such as BFSI, education, and the social sector.

In a dynamic discussion on how Generative AI is reshaping the future of business through upskilling and reskilling, moderated by Chaitanya Sagar, panelists Aditya Nandakumar, Preeti SP, Ruchi Santoshwar, and Sanjay Srivastava highlighted how organizations are rethinking their workflows and processes to leverage new technologies. The conversation emphasized the democratization of data, where awareness of AI’s potential extends beyond data science professionals, driving innovation and enhancing productivity across industries. The discussion also focused on practical use cases, such as personalized customer service through advanced chatbots, and the potential of AI in areas like drug discovery and marketing optimization. The panelists stressed that while AI may not replace humans, those who effectively utilize AI will have a competitive edge, making it imperative for organizations to invest in rapid and effective training for their workforce.

At the summit, Rishabh Chitpugkar, a promising young technologist, demonstrated his commitment to applying coding skills for societal benefit. His presentation was on the application he has created that translates all government schemes in various Indian languages, customised to the user.

IIDS also holds an annual hackathon every year. The case competition attracted 250 individuals including professionals from analytics and data science in 2023. The Data Science Summit in 2023 provided an opportunity for both corporate and student teams to apply their knowledge of Advanced Analytics and Data Science to propose business solutions that drive transformational decision-making. Finalists from Ankita Saraf from Team Gold Digger’s and Kenny Devarapalli from Team Hacker’s Ensemble made their datathon presentations at the Summit.

This summit has become a much-awaited event in the field of data science, and the audience left more informed and inspired by the insightful discussions. The event concluded with a networking dinner, allowing attendees to continue their conversations and foster connections.