Chennai, July 06:“If AI is your co-pilot, what kind of pilot do you want to be?” This thought-provoking question set the tone for the 3rd International Conference on Integration of Advanced Technologies for Industry 5.0 (ICIATI 2026), hosted by KCG College of Technology on 3 and 4 July in hybrid mode. The conference brought together leading academicians, scientists, industry experts, entrepreneurs, researchers and students from India and abroad to deliberate on the future of human-centric technology.
Delivering the inaugural keynote on “AI and I: Rethinking Leadership, Work and Collaboration in the Era of Industry 5.0,” Ms Julia Nebuloni, Senior Transformation Project Manager – Global Mobility & Rewards, Siemens, Germany, challenged participants to rethink the relationship between people and Artificial Intelligence. She emphasised that while 39% of workers’ core skills are expected to change by 2030, the real question is not whether AI saves time, but whether it transforms the way people think. Describing Industry 5.0 as “a correction, not a rejection,” she stressed that the future belongs to those who learn quickly, think critically and create value beyond efficiency. She highlighted hybrid intelligence, trust, intercultural collaboration and customer-centric innovation, concluding with the thought-provoking question, “If AI is your co-pilot, what kind of pilot do you want to be?”
Organized by the IEEE KCG Tech Student Chapter and the Department of Research, the conference received over 1,200 research paper submissions, of which more than 200 were selected through a rigorous international peer-review process, resulting in a paper acceptance ratio of 22%. Researchers from 17 Indian States and Union Territories, along with delegates from Germany, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Tanzania and several other countries, participated in the conference. Seven international workshops, keynote sessions and parallel technical presentations further enriched the event.
In his message to the organisers and participants, Dr Anand Jacob Verghese, Chairman, Hindustan Group of Institutions, emphasised that innovation-driven education, interdisciplinary research and strong industry collaboration are essential to nurture engineers capable of addressing global challenges through sustainable technological solutions.
In her inaugural address, Dr Annie Jacob, Director, KCG College of Technology, emphasised that Industry 5.0 represents a paradigm shift towards human-centric, sustainable and responsible technological advancement, where innovation is driven not only by automation but also by ethics, resilience and societal impact.
Dr G. Prabhakaran, Principal (In-Charge), welcomed the distinguished gathering, while Dr Deepa Jose, Professor and Head, Department of Research, presented the conference theme and statistics, highlighting the overwhelming response to ICIATI 2026.
The conference featured internationally acclaimed speakers from academia and industry.
The Special Guest and Keynote Speaker, Mr Sakthisubramanian K., Head of Signalling, Siemens Mobility, shared insights into the evolution of intelligent technologies, observing that while machines once worked harder, today they work smarter. He noted that people who effectively use AI will gain a significant advantage in the future workplace. Emphasising that Industry 5.0 is driven not only by productivity but also by trust, readiness and people management, he highlighted the growing role of collaborative technologies in railway signalling, communication-enabled operations, digital signalling systems and Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology, while reaffirming that human decision-making remains paramount.
The Guest of Honour, Dr Jayabal K., Dean – Design, Innovation, Incubation and Continuing Education, IIITDM Kancheepuram, underscored the transition towards Industry 5.0 as a human-centric era where technology complements human capabilities. He stressed sustainable innovation, adaptable systems, intercultural understanding and continuous learning as the foundations of future engineering.
In another keynote address, Mr Parameswaran S., Head of Operations Improvement, Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN), Chennai, shared how Nokia is embracing Industry 5.0 through its evolution from connecting people to connecting intelligence, enabling the next generation of intelligent, collaborative and human-centred digital transformation.
The conference also featured seven specialised international workshops, technical sessions, expert lectures and interdisciplinary discussions, providing participants with valuable exposure to emerging technologies, advanced research methodologies and industrial practices aligned with Industry 5.0.
The valedictory session featured keynote addresses by Mr A. R. Velmurugan, Director of Engineering – Sustainable Technology Solutions, Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), and Dr Bhupendra Singh, Senior Scientist, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), DRDO, Bengaluru.
In his valedictory address, Mr Velmurugan explained that Industry 5.0 enables artificial intelligence to automate routine engineering tasks, allowing professionals to devote more time to innovation, safety, sustainability and strategic decision-making.
Dr Bhupendra Singh underscored the transformative role of quantum technologies in the Industry 5.0 era, highlighting their potential to accelerate intelligent innovation, strengthen cybersecurity and reshape the future of advanced engineering.
The conference concluded with the presentation of the Best Paper Awards, recognising outstanding research contributions for originality, innovation, industrial relevance and societal impact.