International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Trade and Sustainability brings together 400 participants, 100+ research papers and global experts to examine responsible AI, digital trade and sustainable business
New Delhi, October 9, 2026: As artificial intelligence increasingly shapes how businesses operate, economies trade and organisations approach sustainability, BML Munjal University (BMU) has brought together academicians, researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and practitioners at the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Trade and Sustainability (ICATS 2026). Being held on October 6 and 7 in a hybrid format at the University’s Gurugram campus, the conference is examining the intersection of AI, digital transformation, global trade and sustainable development, with around 400 participants and more than 100 research papers.
The two-day conference seeks to move the conversation beyond AI as a technology and towards its wider implications for businesses, economies and society. Discussions at ICATS 2026 are focusing on AI-driven trade ecosystems, smart supply chains, digital commerce, sustainable business models, responsible governance and the future of work, bringing together perspectives from technology, business, economics, management, social sciences and public policy.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Jaskiran Arora, Dean – Education Quality and Professor, School of Management, BML Munjal University, said, “Artificial intelligence is no longer shaping businesses in isolation, it is influencing how economies trade, how organisations make decisions and how we think about sustainable growth. ICATS 2026 brings these conversations together because the opportunities created by AI need to be examined alongside questions of responsibility, inclusion and long-term resilience. By bringing academia, industry and policymakers into the same dialogue, the conference aims to encourage ideas and collaborations that can translate technological progress into meaningful and sustainable economic outcomes.”
Sharing his thoughts at the conference, Dr. Nishu Ayedee, Founder and CEO Confab 360 Degree and MentorEDGE, said, “ICATS-2026 connects academia and industry through meaningful dialogue on artificial intelligence, trade and sustainability, creating opportunities for collaboration and responsible innovation with lasting societal impact.”
Dr. Buddha Chandrashekhar, CEO Anuvadini AI and CCO, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), graced the conference as the Guest of Honour.
The conference features participation from leading international institutions including the University of Sydney, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, University of Groningen, High Point University, Rushford Business School, Universidade Portucalense, Sofia University, INTI International University, Tamaulipas Autonomous University and others. Indian institutions including IIM Indore, SRCC, Manipal University, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, IILM University and Dev Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya are also participating.
ICATS 2026 brings together experts from academia and industry, including Dr. Chandrasekhar Buddha, CEO, Anuvadini AI, Ministry of Education and CCO, AICTE, along with industry leaders from DBS Bank India, Landis+Gyr India, MAHR Metrology India, Twimbit and Physics Wallah, among others. The conference is chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Anuj Kumar, Rushford Business School, Switzerland, and Dr. Michael E. Auer, CEO, CTI Consulting, USA, with Dr. Atul Mishra and Dr. Jolly Masih of BMU serving as Conference Co-Chairs.
The International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Trade and Sustainability (ICATS-2026) was organised by BML Munjal University in collaboration with Confab 360 Degree and Orchid University, Sikkim.
The conference team comprised Dr. Anuj Kumar as Conference Chair; Dr. Jolly Masih and Dr. Atul Mishra as Co-Chairs; Mr. Neelesh Kumar as Convenor; and Dr. Jaya Ahuja and Dr. Meenakshi Malik as Co-Convenors. MentoEDGE and Pathlock were the major sponsors of the conference.
Across its two-day programme, ICATS 2026 features keynote addresses, industry and global panels, technical research sessions and discussions around the role of AI in emerging economic and social systems. Discussions include the role of resilient academic networks in strengthening global collaboration, as well as the application of AI, Industry 4.0 and sustainable business models.
The conference is structured around five thematic tracks covering AI and emerging technologies; trade, commerce and the digital economy; sustainable business and management; innovation, entrepreneurship and the future of work; and AI, society, education and sustainable development. These tracks cover subjects ranging from Generative AI, Large Language Models and robotics to digital trade, smart supply chains, ESG, circular economy, human-AI collaboration, future skills, smart governance, digital inclusion and data ethics.
With more than 100 research papers received and approximately 400 participants joining through online and offline formats, ICATS 2026 provides a platform for knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration. The conference aims to encourage research and partnerships that contribute to innovative, inclusive and sustainable approaches to economic growth in an increasingly AI-powered world.
