Mumbai: As artificial intelligence reshapes the modern workplace, senior human resources leaders gathered in Mumbai to consider how organisations can harness technology while preserving the human judgement and values that guide responsible decision-making.
NIPM Mumbai, in collaboration with IES MCRC, held its HR Conclave 2026 at the Taj Santacruz under the theme “The Human Edge in an AI-First Workplace.” The event brought together chief human resources officers, HR directors, vice-presidents and general managers, as well as senior professionals in talent acquisition and talent management.
Sanjay Gawde, CHRO of Mahindra Logistics, attended as chief guest. In his inaugural address, Deodatta Kalyankar, Chairman of NIPM Mumbai, said artificial intelligence was transforming workplaces, but human qualities—including empathy, ethical judgement, creativity, emotional intelligence and leadership—would remain indispensable.
The future of HR, he said, would depend on combining technological intelligence with a deep understanding of people. HR professionals had a crucial responsibility to ensure that technology enhanced human capabilities while upholding the values that shape fair and responsible workplaces.
The discussion brought practical experience to bear on that challenge. Among the panellists was Avadhoot Savant, Executive Council Member of NIPM Mumbai, whose background spans human resources, industrial relations and technology. An electronics engineer with an M.Tech in Data Science, Savant has more than 30 years of professional experience and has also worked on developing AI-based applications.
Drawing on this experience, he discussed the practical uses of AI in HR and its implications for the workplace. He stressed that effective use of AI requires human judgement, contextual understanding and oversight. These are essential to interpreting outputs, applying them appropriately and ensuring that technology serves organisational and employee needs.
The conclave also turned to the preparation of the next generation of HR professionals. Kalyankar called for closer collaboration between industry and academia to bridge the gap between formal education and evolving workplace requirements. Such partnerships, he said, could help equip future professionals with the skills and understanding needed in a changing employment landscape.
He also outlined NIPM Mumbai’s initiatives to support professional development, including seminars, conferences and knowledge-sharing programmes. Kalyankar encouraged HR professionals to join the chapter as life members and contribute to strengthening the profession.
The conclave’s central message was that artificial intelligence may transform the way work is organised and delivered, but technology alone cannot define a successful workplace. Human judgement, empathy and values will remain vital to ensuring that innovation serves people as well as performance.
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