Lucknow, Aug 18: Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow) welcomed the first cohort of its first undergraduate programme, the BS in Artificial Intelligence & Business Analytics today (17th Aug 2026).
The course was launched at Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026, which was held in Delhi as part of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The inaugural session brought together voices from across India’s AI ecosystem, including Mr. Sandeep Saini, Business Head, Sovereign AI Business, HCLTech, Ms. Sheena Rani R, DS & DG (MCC), DRDO, Dr. Manish Gupta, Senior Director, Google DeepMind, and Shri Alok Kumar (IAS), Principal Secretary, IT and Electronics, Planning and Programme Implementation.
The eminent speakers offered the students diverse perspectives spanning technology, AI research, defence, industry, and public policy. Dr. Manish Gupta joined the inaugural session virtually through video conferencing.
In addition to the Guests, the inaugural event was attended by Prof. M.P. Gupta, Director, IIM Lucknow, Prof. Sanjay K. Singh, Dean (Programmes), IIM Lucknow, Prof. Suresh Kumar Jakhar, Chairperson, BS (AI & BA), IIM Lucknow and Prof. Pradeep Kumar, Chairperson, Admissions, IIM Lucknow, who welcomed the inaugural batch of 60 students.
Addressing the inaugural cohort, Prof. M.P. Gupta, Director, IIM Lucknow, spoke about the larger purpose behind the programme and the responsibility that comes with being part of its first batch. He emphasised that the programme has been thoughtfully designed not merely as an academic offering, but as one part of a larger vision to contribute to India’s growth story by bringing together technology, artificial intelligence, and management.
Prof. M.P. Gupta encouraged the students to recognise that their journey at IIM Lucknow is only the beginning, and that the knowledge and capabilities they build here can help create meaningful impact in the years ahead. As Prof. Gupta emphasised, “The entire programme is strongly built with the idea to create a very definite impact in India’s growth story.”
Congratulating the students on becoming part of the inaugural cohort, Shri Alok Kumar (IAS), Principal Secretary, IT & Electronics, Planning & Programme Implementation, highlighted the innovative nature of the programme introduced by IIM Lucknow in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics.
Shri Alok Kumar noted that the growing importance of AI would make programmes of this nature increasingly sought after in the coming years. Congratulating the students on securing a place in the first cohort, he remarked that the programme is likely to become significantly more competitive in just a year, making their achievement of being among the first students particularly significant.
Prof. Sanjay K. Singh, Dean (Programmes), IIM Lucknow, motivated the students to embrace the diverse learning opportunities at IIM Lucknow, both inside and outside the classroom. Reflecting on the growing role of AI, he advised students to use technology as a tool to enhance their capabilities while continuing to think critically and independently.
Prof. Suresh Kumar Jakhar, Chairperson, BS (AI & BA), congratulated the students for being part of the first batch of the programme and reflected on the significance of beginning this journey at a time when the field of AI is undergoing rapid transformation. He observed that many generations of students would follow and take the programme forward, but one distinction would remain unique to the inaugural cohort: they would always be the first ones.
Drawing upon a Buddhist story on the value of dhyana or focused attention, Prof. Jakhar emphasised that attention would be one of the students’ greatest allies as they navigate an increasingly complex and technology-driven world. He encouraged them to cultivate the ability to focus deeply, learn continuously, and make the most of their time at IIM Lucknow.
As this first cohort begins its journey in 2026, the programme looks towards the professionals they will become by 2030, equipped to contribute to India’s growing AI ecosystem and its wider development journey. Their journey reflects the larger vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 articulated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi: building capabilities today that can shape India’s growth for decades to come.