The coastal city of Visakhapatnam successfully hosted the two-day AP Digital Technology Summit 2026 alongside the AP Innovators Summit 2026, bringing together the state's technology ecosystem. The event concluded with a strong emphasis on the transformative power of artificial intelligence and the urgent need for educational institutions to keep pace with industry demands.
Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry
Delivering the keynote at the inaugural session, Vizag MP Sribharath addressed a critical challenge. He stated that the blistering speed of technological advancement, especially in fields like artificial intelligence, necessitates a culture of perpetual learning and adaptability. The MP issued a clear warning: faculty members across educational institutions must proactively update their knowledge with current industry trends. Failure to do so, he cautioned, would only widen the existing chasm between the skills taught in classrooms and those required for employability in the modern digital economy.
A Gathering of Tech Minds and Strategic Discussions
The summit was organized by the AP Digital Technology Industry (APDTI) Network with backing from the Andhra Pradesh government and the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). Its significance was underscored by its formal recognition as a pre-summit event for the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026 under the national India AI Mission.
According to APDTI chairman Sreedhar Kosaraju, the event attracted a robust gathering of over 1,000 delegates. The audience comprised a diverse mix of CXOs, established business leaders, academics, startup founders, and young career aspirants.
The first day of deliberations centered on cutting-edge themes including:
- Agentic and Generative AI
- Cloud-native technologies
- The evolution of Global Capability Centers (GCCs)
- Digital twins
- Cybersecurity
- Intelligent process automation
Day two shifted focus to innovation and execution, with sessions on product development, AI-driven XR (Extended Reality) innovations, practical AI toolkits, and the crucial topic of startup funding. The speaker roster featured industry experts from global giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Bosch.
Enabling Growth and Strategic Evolution
Kavitha C, Director of STPI Hyderabad, elaborated on STPI's role as a single-window facilitator for the IT, electronics, and startup sectors. She highlighted the notable export growth witnessed in Andhra Pradesh and shed light on flagship initiatives such as the Sayuj and Kalpataru Industry 4.0 centers in Visakhapatnam.
Kishore Dasri, President-Elect of ITAAP, commended the organizers and encouraged all participants to move beyond passive attendance to active engagement and networking.
Providing a deep dive into the changing role of GCCs, Kiran Babu Cherukuri from HCL Tech explained their strategic transformation. He noted that GCCs have evolved far beyond their original function as offshore units for task execution. Today, they stand as strategic nerve centers for global enterprises, directly influencing core areas like product design, system architecture, and high-level decision-making.
The summit served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, highlighting Andhra Pradesh's commitment to positioning itself at the forefront of India's digital and AI-driven future.
