#nasscomDES Recap: Game-Changing Insights from September 5 Dialogues on Emerging Tech, Innovation, and Future of Industries.

After a day full of inspiring discussions and innovative breakthroughs, attendees returned eagerly for more thought-provoking sessions. The second day of the event promised in-depth discussions and enriching talks on new perspectives, all focused on shaping a smarter, more sustainable future. From dynamic conversations to forging valuable connections, the agenda was set to elevate innovation to new heights.

The summit kicked off with a keynote by Roger Spitz , Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute , on "Together into Tomorrow: Anticipating Unpredictable Futures.” He introduced the concept of "Techistentialism" and discussed India’s GDP growth amidst the deep global uncertainty. Spitz highlighted that we now navigate the UN-VICE world—Unknown, Volatile, Intersecting, Complex, Exponential—and must adopt AAA+ strategies: Agility, Alignment, Anticipatory, and Antifragile thinking. Key takeaways: Build resilience, ask better questions, and prepare for an unpredictable future.

Leaders - Arjun Rao , Founding Partner, Speciale Invest , Nanda K Lakkaraju , Managing Director, Carrier , Suruchi Rao , CEO & Cofounder, Ossus Biorenewables in "The Cleantech Countdown" discussed India’s decarbonization journey, emphasizing the potential of green hydrogen and the need for more efficient, eco-friendly HVAC systems. The discussion also highlighted India's shift towards sustainable manufacturing, stressing the need for innovation beyond the labs. The path to a greener future is clear: relentless investment and ongoing innovation are essential.

In "Will 6G Transform Human-Machine Interactions and Smart Environments,” Kevin Plunkett , Vice President - Wireless Cloud Services, Boost Mobile / Dish Wireless an EchoStar Corporation and Satish Kanugovi, Head of Standardization APAC, Nokia , moderated by Danish Khan , Editor - Technology and Telecom, moneycontrol.com , discussed the evolution from 5G to 6G. Satish emphasized the necessity of global collaboration to harness 6G's potential, while Kevin highlighted the need to optimize 5G during the transition, predicting 2030 as a key milestone for 6G. The panel also touched on open networks, interoperability, and the convergence of terrestrial and satellite systems, with transformative use cases like XR and collaborative robots. India's talent is expected to play a significant role in this technological leap.

In the session "AI and Cybersecurity: Guarding the Future or Opening Pandora's Box,” Anshuma (Dogra) Singh , Director, India IT Head/Site Leader, Applied Materials , Rucha Nanavati , Chief Digital Transformation Officer at Mahindra & Mahindra Limited Automotive , and Vinod Bhat , Chief Information Officer (CIO) & Chief Ethics Counsellor (CEC), Vistara - TATA SIA Airlines Ltd. joined in for an insightful panel discussion. The panel explored AI's dual role in cybersecurity. Anshuma highlighted AI's potential to decentralize data security and enhance threat detection, while Rucha focused on GenAI's ability to speed up phishing prevention. Vinod raised concerns about AI-generated vulnerabilities, particularly with synthetic data. They agreed that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, emphasizing the importance of zero-trust models, ethical AI, and collaboration to secure the future.

"EVs: Powering Up Innovation or Stalling" session featured RV Narasimham , President, Engineering Services, Tech Mahindra and Swapnil Jain , Co-founder & CTO, Ather Energy , who discussed the EV sector's rapid 60-100% growth despite facing scepticism and shrinking investments. They emphasized that cutting-edge tech, focused R&D, and stable 7-year policy frameworks are key to accelerating EV adoption. Embracing data-driven design and tech advances will help the industry overcome challenges and drive real consumer benefits.

As the semiconductor industry races toward a trillion-dollar goal by 2030, AI is revolutionizing chip design. The next segment from the nasscom Design & Engineering Summit 2024 featured a leaders' discussion on "Advanced Chip Design: Will AI Solve the Biggest Design Complexities?", where Jaya Jagadish , Country Head & Senior Vice President, AMD India, highlighted AI's role in optimizing designs and predicting performance, while Anand Ramamoorthy , Managing Director, Micron Technology , emphasized AI's help in overcoming miniaturization challenges. Sanjeev Malhotra , CEO, Centre of Excellence for IoT and AI, nasscom , noted AI's shift from boardrooms to design rooms, pushing innovation. The panel agreed: AI, combined with traditional engineering skills, is key to driving the future of semiconductor advancements.

The "Show and Tell: Building the NEXT!" session moderated by Kritika M , Senior Director, Deep Tech & Startups, nasscom , explored the future of industrial design and automotive innovation. Mahamad R, Senior Engineer, Digital & Emerging Technologies, Baker Hughes , showcased how cloud-powered virtual 3D collaboration is revolutionizing real-time design and engineering processes. Vijayendra Mohan Agrawal , Chief Architect - Software-Defined Everything, Wipro Engineering Edge, Wipro , unveiled the future of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), where software updates continuously enhance cars, driving automotive evolution. The session emphasized how innovation and collaboration are reshaping industries.

"The Rise of Autonomous Supply Chains: How AI and Edge are Redefining Logistics on Autonomous Supply Chains" session at the nasscom Design & Engineering Summit 2024 featured leaders Madhavan Satagopan , Advisor & Mentor, Zentience , Harinivas R , Executive Director - Information Technology, Boeing , Nithya Subramanian , Head of Data and Analytics AMEA, Kellanova (Kellogg's), Saurabh Chandra , CEO, Ati Motors and offered fascinating insights into how geopolitical shifts are transforming sourcing strategies.

Industry leaders highlighted the importance of precision, tech maturity, and the growing role of digitalized contracts in boosting supply chain efficiency. The discussion also touched on balancing consumer demands, resilience, and sustainability, emphasizing the need for flexible, AI-driven solutions to manage global complexities. While robotics and automation are driving the future of manufacturing, human judgment remains irreplaceable.

The "From Data to Design Townhall”, moderated by Nitesh Bansal , CEO and Managing Director of R Systems International Ltd., featured two insightful segments. In the first, titled "Is Data Running Out of Breath or Are We Running Out of Data?”, Sourav Banerjee , Head of R&D and Platform at MathCo , discussed the pivotal role of data in powering AI systems. He acknowledged concerns over data scarcity but pointed to solutions like synthetic data and underutilized organizational data. In the second segment, "Designing for Delight: Transforming Consumer Experience”, Suresh Mandalika , Chief Digital & Technology Officer at United Breweries Ltd. , explored how innovative design principles are elevating customer experience and fostering brand loyalty. The key takeaway was that combining untapped data with smart design will create AI systems that both perform and delight.

Moderated by Kishor Patil , Co-founder, CEO, and Managing Director of KPIT Technologies Limited, and ER&D Chair, nasscom the #TechTalk lined up next titled "Lessons in Ingenuity and Innovation: The Inspiring Story of Jugadu Kamlesh" showcased how grassroots innovation can transform agriculture. Jugadu Kamlesh , an Indian innovator, shared how his passion for farmers and inspiration from his parents led him to create an affordable pesticide-spraying machine aimed at improving farming practices. With ongoing funding and support, he continues to refine his prototypes, envisioning a platform that empowers grassroots innovators across India to revolutionize agriculture. Kamlesh's journey highlights the immense potential of India's innovators in driving a new agricultural revolution.

Can India lead the future of space travel with fully reusable rockets? In the second #TechTalk "Transformational Leap for Mankind: Reusable Rockets," Kishor Patil , KPIT Technologies and Manu J. Nair , Director & CEO, Ethereal Exploration Guild Exploration Guild, discussed the groundbreaking Razor Crest Mk-1, the world's first fully reusable medium-lift launch vehicle. Manu shared that unlike conventional rockets, this innovation returns the entire vehicle, making space travel more accessible and sustainable. Set to undergo tests in March 2027, the Razor Crest Mk-1 can reach orbits up to 65,000 km. Kishor underscored the significance of such pioneering advancements coming from India, setting a new benchmark in global space exploration.

After a series of enlightening talks, what better way to end the day than with lessons from a cricket legend? In "Unravelling The Athlete’s Mindset: Pivoting and Adapting Like a Pro," Robbie Uthappa , Indian Cricketer, in conversation with Sandeep Bahl , Vice President, nasscom shared his journey from childhood cricket to professional success. He highlighted the importance of self-investment, mental resilience, and learning from both wins and losses. Drawing parallels between sports and leadership, Robin emphasized trusting teams and constantly adapting to stay ahead. A perfect end to a day of inspiration and growth!

And with that, the remarkable journey of #nasscomDES 2024 ended! Over two days, we witnessed groundbreaking innovations, insightful discussions, and impactful collaborations shaping the future of engineering and technology. But this is just the beginning! Stay tuned for next year’s edition as we continue driving these conversations forward.

In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you! Share your favorite moments from the Summit using the hashtag #nasscomDES, and let’s keep the momentum going as we work towards a smarter, more sustainable future together.