The Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM-I) commenced its flagship International Conference on Excellence in Research and Education (CERE) on Friday, centering on digital transformation, sustainability, and global disruptions. The event brings together academicians, researchers, and industry experts to deliberate on the evolving landscape of business, research, and education.
Conference Highlights
CERE 2026 has attracted over 430 research submissions from 10 countries. The three-day conference focuses on how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping various domains, with discussions on data-driven decision-making, ethics, privacy, and the evolving role of human-AI collaboration in organizations.
Inaugural Address
In his inaugural address, IIM-I Director Himanshu Rai emphasized the need for research to go beyond information processing. He stated, "Research must go beyond processing information and focus on deeper understanding in an AI-driven world. While AI excels at processing information, it does not engage with truth. Scholars should reclaim research as a pursuit of deeper understanding and meaning. AI has everything to do with information, but nothing to do with truth."
Workshops and Panels
The conference will feature expert workshops, keynote sessions, and panel discussions addressing contemporary research and practice. Workshops include sessions on introduction to response surface analysis and addressing economic and health inequity through AI and data analytics. Conference Chair Rajhans Mishra noted that the pace of technological change is forcing a rethink of conventional definitions of excellence. He said, "The evolving landscape of AI raises critical questions around data valuation, ethics, privacy and ownership and how humans collaborate with intelligent systems."
Keynote and Expert Insights
The inaugural day featured a keynote address by Ben Waber of MIT Media Lab, who spoke on the changing role of data and AI in management, highlighting how data-driven systems are transforming organizational design and decision-making. Panel discussions will explore "AI as a tool or business model," with industry and academia deliberating on its implications.
Experts noted that these deliberations are particularly relevant as industries grapple with rapid technological disruptions. AI is not only improving efficiency but also redefining business models, workforce dynamics, and value creation. The conference will continue with paper presentations, panel discussions, and workshops aimed at bridging the gap between academic research and real-world applications.
