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IIT Kanpur Launches 6-Month Online AI and Machine Learning Certificate Programme for Business Analytics

/ Press Release

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has announced a six-month online certificate programme in Advanced Data Science and Machine Learning for Business Analytics, designed to help graduates and working professionals strengthen their expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data-driven business strategies. The programme is scheduled to begin on October 3, 2026, with admissions remaining open until mid-September 2026. It aims to prepare learners to apply AI-powered solutions and analytics across sectors including finance, marketing, consulting, operations, product management, and business analytics. Eligibility Criteria Applicants from any academic discipline can apply if they have secured at least 55% aggregate marks from a recognised university or institution. Professionals with three or more years of relevant work experience are also eligible with a minimum of 40% aggregate marks, according to IIT Kanpur. Application Process Candidates can apply by following these steps: Visit the official IIT Kanpur course application portal. Click on Apply or Register Interest. Create an account or log in. Complete the online application form. Upload the necessary documents. Pay the application fee. Submit the application. Await admission confirmation from IIT Kanpur. Industry-Focused Curriculum Developed in collaboration with faculty members from leading IITs and IIMs, the curriculum covers Python and R programming, data analysis, data visualisation, machine learning, and generative AI. The programme emphasises practical learning through real-world business applications and hands-on projects. Prof. Abhinav Tripathi, Programme Coordinator and faculty in the Department of Management Sciences at IIT Kanpur, said that AI and machine learning have become indispensable across industries. He noted that the programme has been designed to provide participants with practical, industry-oriented knowledge and hands-on experience to address modern business challenges. According to IIT Kanpur, the course will also help participants develop AI-powered analytics capabilities, automate routine business processes, and generate actionable insights for informed decision-making. Source: Indian Express ( Disclaimer: This report is generated from PRO services. ‘ArdorComm Media’ holds no responsibility for its content. )

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VTU Partners with Google to Boost AI, Cloud and Cybersecurity Skills for Engineering Students

/ Education Community

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has signed a strategic academic partnership with Google LLC to equip engineering students across Karnataka with industry-focused skills, practical learning opportunities and enhanced career readiness. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Bengaluru by VTU Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Vidyashankar and Sanjay Jain, Head of Google for Education India. Under the collaboration, students will receive training in high-demand domains such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, data science and cybersecurity. The initiative will also focus on faculty development, helping educators strengthen their expertise while aligning academic programs with evolving industry expectations. Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Prof. Vidyashankar said VTU, which is affiliated with 220 engineering colleges and serves nearly 300,000 students, is committed to ensuring graduates are job-ready from day one. He noted that collaborations with leading technology companies will help bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements. Sanjay Jain said Google aims to support both students and faculty through practical skill development and employment-oriented training. He added that the programme will introduce learning models aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) and State Education Policy (SEP), enabling participants to use AI more effectively and prepare for future workplace demands. Alongside Google, VTU also announced partnerships with Qualcomm, Bharat Skills Institute Foundation and Simulation Enabled Experiential Learning (SEEL) to further strengthen technical education. Qualcomm, through its subsidiary Stem Lore Innovators LLP, will offer long-term training in AI, embedded systems, product prototyping and the Internet of Things (IoT), while also establishing a Centre of Excellence in Edge AI. The Bharat Skills Institute Foundation plans to develop a Centre of Excellence in phases with an investment of ₹20 crore, focusing on skill-based education and workforce development. Meanwhile, SEEL will introduce a cloud-based digital learning platform that enables students to perform laboratory exercises remotely. The platform will provide access to scientific and technical software, GATE preparation resources, previous years’ question papers, mock tests, AI-powered interview practice, more than 1,900 industry projects and internship opportunities, along with webinars, workshops and expert-led sessions for engineering and MBA students. Source: Indian Express  

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IIM Bangalore to Establish First Overseas Campus in Indonesia, Expanding India’s Higher Education Footprint in ASEAN

/ Education Community

In a significant step towards strengthening academic ties between India and Indonesia, the Indian government has announced that the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore will set up its first international campus in Indonesia. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi following bilateral discussions with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during Modi’s official visit to the country. The proposed campus is expected to cater not only to Indonesian students but also to learners from across the ASEAN region, further enhancing India’s educational outreach in Southeast Asia. Alongside the education initiative, India and Indonesia signed several agreements aimed at deepening collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI), telecommunications, digital public infrastructure, startups, and innovation. Both leaders emphasised promoting technology-driven partnerships and creating greater opportunities for young innovators from both nations. The two countries also agreed to broaden cooperation in the space sector through joint research, technology exchange, and capacity-building initiatives, reinforcing their long-standing strategic partnership. The Indonesia campus marks another milestone in the global expansion of Indian management education. It follows the international debut of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, which became the first IIM to establish a full-fledged overseas campus in Dubai. Inaugurated in September 2025 at Dubai International Academic City, the campus currently offers a one-year full-time MBA programme for experienced professionals, reflecting India’s growing ambition to internationalise its higher education institutions. Source: Indian Express

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AI Still Costs More Than Human Workers, Says Nvidia Executive Bryan Catanzaro

/ Human Resource Community

Artificial intelligence may be advancing rapidly, but it is not yet the cheaper alternative to human labour, according to Bryan Catanzaro, a senior executive at Nvidia. He believes companies expecting immediate savings by replacing employees with AI may be misunderstanding the current economics of the technology. Speaking in an interview with Axios, Catanzaro said that for his own team, computing costs significantly exceed staff expenses. His comments challenge the growing belief that layoffs combined with AI adoption automatically improve profitability. The remarks come as major tech firms such as Meta and Microsoft continue reducing headcount while simultaneously pouring billions into AI infrastructure. Meta has reportedly planned workforce cuts of around 10%, impacting nearly 8,000 employees, while also freezing or removing thousands of open positions. Microsoft has also introduced one of its largest voluntary buyout programs in recent years. At the same time, spending on AI is accelerating. According to Morgan Stanley estimates, major technology companies have already invested $740 billion in capital expenditure in 2026, representing a sharp increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, more than 92,000 layoffs have been recorded across the tech sector so far this year. Studies suggest AI still lacks economic efficiency in many job categories. A 2024 study from Massachusetts Institute of Technology found AI automation made financial sense in only 23% of visual-task jobs, while human workers remained the lower-cost option in the majority of cases. Experts say one of the biggest barriers is the high cost of computing power, data centres, and energy required to run large AI systems. Keith Lee of the Swiss Institute of Artificial Intelligence described the situation as temporary, predicting costs may fall sharply over the next few years as hardware and model efficiency improve. However, affordability alone may not be enough. Analysts note that AI systems must also become more reliable, accurate, and easier to integrate into everyday business operations before they can truly replace human workers at scale. For now, Catanzaro’s message is straightforward: replacing people with AI does not automatically mean lower costs, as human labour often remains the more practical and economical choice. Source: Economic Times

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AI Era Sparks ‘Great Flattening’: McKinsey Calls for Leaner, Faster Organizational Structures

/ Human Resource Community

A new leadership perspective emerging from McKinsey & Company suggests that the age of artificial intelligence may fundamentally reshape how organizations are structured—starting with eliminating excess management layers. According to insights highlighted in a report by Business Insider, companies are increasingly exploring how AI-powered systems and agents can streamline operations by reducing hierarchical complexity. The idea is simple: fewer layers, faster decisions. Speaking on The McKinsey Podcast, senior partner Alexis Krivkovich emphasized that AI is equipping leaders with what she described as a “superhuman capacity” to oversee broader responsibilities. This enhanced capability could allow organizations to flatten traditional structures and operate with greater speed and efficiency. Over the past decade, many companies have added one or more layers between top leadership and frontline employees—sometimes up to three. While intended to improve oversight, these additional tiers have often led to slower decision-making and increased operational costs. AI, however, is now being positioned as a solution that can simplify coordination, automate routine functions, and improve real-time decision support across departments like HR, finance, and legal. This structural shift is being widely referred to as the “Great Flattening,” reflecting a move toward more agile, horizontally aligned organizations. Industry leaders are already echoing this sentiment. At IBM, senior executive Mohamed Ali noted that businesses will need entirely new systems to manage AI tools alongside human workers, including frameworks for governance and oversight. Meanwhile, Eno Reyes of Factory highlighted that traditional org charts are likely to evolve into flatter, more collaborative structures as AI becomes deeply embedded in workflows. As AI adoption accelerates, organizations worldwide may soon find that success depends not just on technology—but on how effectively they redesign themselves around it. Source: TOI

AI Era Sparks ‘Great Flattening’: McKinsey Calls for Leaner, Faster Organizational Structures Read More »

AI Transforms Payroll and Attendance: Indian Platforms Redefine Workforce Automation

/ Human Resource Community

Artificial Intelligence is quietly revolutionizing one of the most traditional business functions — payroll and attendance management. What was once a routine administrative task is now becoming a strategic intelligence layer, driven by AI, analytics, and biometrics. The age of manual registers and spreadsheet payrolls is fading fast. Today’s systems leverage facial recognition, RFID scanners, and GPS tracking to automate attendance and salary processing. A 2025 EY report reveals that more than 60% of Indian employers are already using AI for payroll forecasting, compensation benchmarking, and workforce analytics — signaling a major shift from back-office operations to boardroom strategy. The latest workforce platforms blend automation with data-driven insight. AI algorithms now detect anomalies such as attendance gaps, duplicate records, or payroll mismatches — cutting processing errors by up to 70%, as per LiftHCM. Machine learning further enables predictive scheduling, overtime management, and compliance forecasting. Across India, this transformation spans every segment of the market: Petpooja Payroll, initially a restaurant-tech startup, now offers an integrated biometric-plus-cloud payroll suite for MSMEs taking their first digital leap. Pagarbook brings automation to small retailers and workshops through an easy mobile-first interface — echoing India’s growing trend of mobile-led HR adoption. Keka (Hyderabad) and GreytHR (Bengaluru) serve mid-tier businesses with full-fledged HRMS systems that unify attendance, leave, payroll, and analytics dashboards — merging enterprise-grade efficiency with startup-style innovation. At the enterprise level, Darwinbox and Workday lead the charge. While Workday continues to be the global HCM benchmark used by over 65% of Fortune 500 firms, Darwinbox exemplifies India’s homegrown AI innovation, incorporating conversational interfaces, predictive analytics, and seamless workflow integrations. For forward-looking organizations, payroll data is fast becoming a goldmine of workforce intelligence — revealing insights into productivity, engagement, and cost efficiency. CIOs are now positioning attendance and payroll automation alongside ERP, cybersecurity, and analytics as core pillars of digital transformation. As India enters 2025, payroll management is no longer just about salary disbursal. It’s about converting workforce data into actionable strategy — redefining how businesses measure, manage, and maximize human potential. Source: Economic Times

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Parliament Panel Seeks Legal, Tech Framework to Combat AI-Driven Fake News

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community
ardorcomm news

A parliamentary panel has urged the government to put in place robust legal and technological mechanisms to track, identify, and penalize those responsible for spreading AI-generated fake news. In its draft report, the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology — chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey — emphasized the need for a balanced use of Artificial Intelligence. While AI is being applied to detect misinformation, the report cautioned that the same technology can also generate and amplify it. The report has been submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and will be tabled in the upcoming session. The committee has recommended stronger coordination between the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and other concerned departments. Among its proposals are exploring licensing requirements for AI content creators and introducing mandatory labelling for AI-generated text, videos, and images. It also highlighted ongoing government-backed projects such as deep learning-based speech detection systems and software tools designed to identify deepfake videos and images. The MeitY has already set up a nine-member panel to study deepfake-related challenges. While ministries have cautioned that AI in its current state cannot independently fact-check complex issues, the committee suggested using AI as a first filter to flag suspicious content, followed by human verification. Calling fake news a “serious threat” to democracy and public order, the panel urged amendments in penal laws, higher fines, and greater accountability. It also suggested mandating fact-checking units and internal ombudsmen in all media organizations, while stressing that such measures should be built through consensus among stakeholders. Although committee recommendations are not binding, they often guide government policy due to their bipartisan weight. Source: PTI

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PwC India Unveils Vision 2030, to Add 20,000 Jobs and Triple Revenue in Five Years

/ Human Resource Community

PwC India has announced an ambitious expansion plan under its Vision 2030, aiming to grow its workforce to 50,000 employees within the next five years by creating 20,000 new jobs. The consulting major is targeting a threefold increase in revenue, committing over 5% of annual revenues to technology, innovation, and capability building. The company will sharpen its focus on areas such as digital transformation, sustainability, risk and regulatory compliance, cloud, and cybersecurity, positioning itself to help clients navigate rapid market disruptions. Chairperson Sanjeev Krishan emphasised the firm’s goal of building a “future-ready workforce,” with investments in upskilling, women in leadership, and inclusive career growth from entry-level to the boardroom. PwC India will allocate 1% of its revenues to learning initiatives while expanding its presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to support decentralised economic growth and align with the government’s vision of self-reliant local economies. Recruitment will focus on sector-specific and digital expertise, with growth anchored in six priority sectors: financial services, healthcare, industrial manufacturing, automotive, technology, media, and telecom. Additionally, the company will explore emerging “horizon sectors” to secure an early strategic foothold. Source: PTI

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MEGHA Project from India Wins Top Prize at Harvard’s AI for Good Hackathon

/ Governance Community

In a significant global recognition for inclusive technology, the MEGHA (Meghalaya E-Governance Human-centred Assistance) project has secured first place at the Kennedy AI for Good Hackathon held at Harvard Kennedy School. The AI-powered, voice-first initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by enabling rural citizens in Meghalaya and beyond to access government schemes through any basic mobile phone. Designed for low-literacy users in remote areas, MEGHA operates via a toll-free number and responds in conversational language, making government schemes more accessible without the need for smartphones or internet connectivity. Built by a team of Indian public leaders and technologists currently at Harvard, MEGHA represents a people-centric approach to responsible AI deployment. The team behind MEGHA includes notable figures such as Manish Maheshwari (former Twitter India Head and Harvard Fellow), Dr. Aarushi Jain (Policy Director at Bharti Institute), Mohammed Y Safirulla K (IAS officer), Manudev Jain (IRS officer), and Ashish Tiwari (IPS officer and Fulbright Scholar). Their collaborative efforts have created a powerful tool for digital inclusion grounded in verified government data. Speaking about MEGHA, Manish Maheshwari said, “The true power of AI lies in thoughtfully connecting proven technologies to urgent human needs. As implementation costs fall, AI’s ability to unlock dignity, opportunity, and inclusion becomes one of the greatest forces for good.” Dr. Aarushi Jain added, “MEGHA is built to break information barriers by offering honest, concise guidance through a voice-first interface grounded in official documents.” MEGHA’s win is a testament to how empathetic innovation and AI can be harnessed to create impactful, inclusive solutions for real-world challenges. Source: India Today

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Infinite Reality Acquires Zappar for $45M to Expand Extended Reality Commerce Capabilities

/ Human Resource Community
ArdorComm news

Infinite Reality, a leading firm in extended reality (XR) and immersive technologies, has acquired the XR creative platform Zappar for $45 million, further solidifying its presence in the commerce and digital media landscape. This acquisition enhances Infinite Reality’s capabilities in artificial intelligence, spatial computing, and immersive technologies, all of which are integral to reshaping digital commerce and media experiences. Amish Shah, co-founder and chief business officer of Infinite Reality, emphasized the strategic importance of the deal, stating, “Zappar’s strong European presence and partnerships with global brands align perfectly with our expansion strategy. By integrating their expertise into our portfolio, we’re creating a powerhouse of immersive technology that spans continents and industries.” The acquisition follows Infinite Reality’s $350 million funding round in July and is part of its ongoing acquisition spree, which includes 3D avatar platform Action Face in June, metaverse company Landvault in July, and a majority stake in Super League earlier this month. Zappar’s XR platform allows brands to create and manage 3D websites, augmented reality (AR) content, virtual reality (VR) experiences, and applications across various devices, including Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3. Zappar CEO Caspar Thykier expressed enthusiasm, saying, “Joining Infinite Reality’s trailblazing portfolio empowers us to scale our technology and reach a much wider audience of clients and consumers, while expanding our U.S. presence.” Zappar’s product suite includes the Zapbox, an entry-level XR headset priced at $99.99, and its assistive technology, Zapvision, which enhances accessibility for people with low vision using QR codes. The deal also brings Zappar’s established partnerships with global brands like Disney, Bayer, Nestlé, and NBCUniversal, adding more value to Infinite Reality’s expanding global network, which includes operations in major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Dubai, and London. Source: adweek

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