ICNDIA-2026 Opens at Army Institute of Technology Pune, Focus on AI, Cybersecurity and Defence Technology
Pune: International Conference on Nexus of Digitalization, Intelligence, and Applications (ICNDIA-2026) was inaugurated at the Army Institute of Technology (AIT), Pune, on September 18, bringing together discussions on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, telecommunications, cybersecurity and advanced engineering.
Lt Gen Vipul Shinghal, AVSM, SM, DCOAS (IS&T), attended the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest. In his address, he spoke about the strategic importance of technological advancement, innovation and indigenous capabilities in strengthening India’s defence and communication ecosystem.
The inaugural session also featured keynote addresses by Prof. Mukul S. Sutaone, Director, IIIT Allahabad; Lt Gen (Dr) SP Kochhar, AVSM, SM, VSM, PhD (Retd), Director General, COAI; and Dr Makrand G. Joshi, Director, R&DE (Engrs), Dighi, Pune.
The speakers discussed the role of AI, emerging technologies, telecommunications, cybersecurity and advanced engineering, along with the need for innovation-driven research and collaboration between academia, industry and defence.
Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar, AVSM, VSM, Patron-in-Chief of the conference, also sent a message for the students. Referring to former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, he urged them to follow the idea of having a dream “that does not let you sleep.”
