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Birla School of Management in collaboration with Birla School of Engineering & Technology, successfully organized its HR Conclave 2026 on the theme “AI-Powered People Strategy: Balancing Technology and Empathy” on 13th February 2026. The event brought together distinguished industry leaders, academicians, and students to deliberate on the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in people management. The session was graced by Prof. Kulbhushan Balooni, Vice Chancellor, Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar, Chief Guest Mr. Satyanarayana Vinjamoori, Former Vice President (HR & Operations), ADP Private Ltd. & Board Member - Food 4 Thought Foundation, Key note Speaker, Ms. Richa Mehrotra, Director Staffing, Alavarez Marsal, Prof. B. K. Das, Registrar, Birla Global University, Prof. Parameswar Nayak, Dean Birla School of Management and Conference Chair, and panelists Ms. Swetaali Pattnaik, CEO & Director, SAIntellect Solutions, Mr. Arya Vedabrata, Founder & CEO, ByteIQ Analytics, Mr. Hemant Rath, Principal Scientist & Distinguished Engineer, TCS and Ms. Sikha Nanda, HR Head, Integreon.
The Inaugural Session commenced with the BGU Anthem and lighting of the lamp, followed by the Welcome Address by Dr. Sanjay Kuanar, Conclave Chair & Dean, Birla School of Engineering & Technology. He emphasized that AI represents a structural transformation reshaping global industries, rather than merely a technological upgrade.
Introducing the theme, Dr. Archana Choudhary, Conclave Convener and Professor, Birla School of Management, highlighted the dynamic relationship between data, technology, and human emotions. She underlined that while AI enhances productivity and decision-making, empathy and psychological understanding remain central to sustainable people strategies.
Delivering the Keynote Address, Ms. Richa Mehrotra, Director – Staffing, Alvarez & Marsal, Gurugram, shared practical insights into AI-driven talent acquisition and workforce analytics. She addressed concerns such as algorithmic bias, trust deficits, and change resistance, advocating a “human-in-the-loop” approach to ensure fairness and contextual sensitivity in HR practices.
Chief Guest Mr. Satyanarayana Vinjamoori, Former Vice President (HR & Operations), ADP Pvt. Ltd. & Board Member – Food 4 Thought Foundation, emphasized that while AI has evolved over decades, its present scale and accessibility require responsible integration. He stressed that technology must complement—not replace—human judgment and highlighted the importance of aligning mindset, skillset, and toolset in modern HR leadership.
The first panel discussion, titled “Human-Centred AI in Talent Management,” explored AI’s applications in talent acquisition, upskilling, and employee retention. Panelists agreed that while AI can streamline CV screening, personalize learning pathways, and enhance workforce analytics, final decision-making authority must remain with human professionals to ensure ethical accountability and fairness.
The second panel discussion, “Empathy, Well-being and Psychological Contracts in an AI-Driven Workplace,” focused on preserving trust and human values amid automation. The discussion emphasized that psychological contracts between employers and employees require transparency, communication, and ethical leadership. Panelists further stressed that employee well-being must go beyond policy frameworks and be embedded into organizational culture and leadership behavior.
The conclave witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, who engaged panelists with thoughtful questions on data privacy, productivity monitoring, attrition prediction, and ethical AI intervention. The discussions reflected the growing need for responsible and human-centric technological adoption.
The event concluded with the Valedictory Address by Dr. B K Das, Registrar, Birla Global University, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to fostering dialogue at the intersection of technology and humanity. The rapporteurs of the session were Ms. Saswati Tripathy, Assistant Professor, Birla School of Management, Dr. Bandita Sahoo, Assistant Professor, Birla School of Engineering & Technology, Dr. Snigdha Choudhury, Assistant Professor, Birla School of Management and Vote of thanks was given byDr. Snigdha Mohapatra, Associate Professor & HR Conclave Co- Convenor.
The HR Conclave 2026 served as a meaningful platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange, reinforcing that while AI continues to transform workplaces, empathy, ethical leadership, and human judgment remain fundamental to sustainable organizational success.
