Panel Discussion: The Future of Decision-Making: AI in the Boardroom

Technology Senate | Day 2 | 18th July 2026 | Lucknow


Panellists in this video:
• Harsh Jha, Group Head of Technology, Nuvama Group
• Partha Protim Mondal, CIO, Berger Paints
• Kunal Mehta, Chief Information Officer, Arvind Fashions Ltd
• Dr. Chander Shekhar Devra, CIO & VP, Speciality Chemicals & Chemicals Technology, SRF Limited
• Sushil Ostwal, Chief Data Officer, Bombay Stock Exchange
• Sachin Dutta, COO & Director – Technology, Canara HSBC Life
• Rajkumar Ayyella, CIO, KEC International Ltd. (Moderator)

Key Highlights:
♦ Rajkumar Ayyella, CIO, KEC International Ltd. (Moderator):
+ The role of AI is rapidly evolving from supporting decisions to participating in decision-making, and enterprises must be prepared to govern that transition responsibly.

♦ Harsh Jha, Group Head of Technology, Nuvama Group:
+ There has to be explainability in everything we do. AI must be governed, monitored and trusted before it can influence business decisions.

♦ Sachin Dutta, COO & Director – Technology, Canara HSBC Life:
+ The business is not interested in AI for its own sake. It wants better outcomes for customers, shareholders and the organisation.

♦ Partha Protim Mondal, CIO, Berger Paints:
+ AI can analyse patterns and recommend actions, but strategic decisions and judgement must continue to remain with humans.

♦ Dr. Chander Shekhar Devra, CIO & VP, Speciality Chemicals & Chemicals Technology, SRF Limited:
+ AI is moving from predicting what will happen to recommending what should happen, but autonomous decisions must always be aligned with business risk.

♦ Kunal Mehta, Chief Information Officer, Arvind Fashions Ltd:
+ Before scaling AI, organisations must solve explainability, cybersecurity, compliance, bias and accountability.

♦ Sushil Ostwal, Chief Data Officer, Bombay Stock Exchange:
+ Beyond productivity gains, AI success must be measured through business outcomes, governance and accountability.

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