AI avatar keynote by Dr. Sandeep Pachpande, Chairman of ASM Group of Institutes, launches 20 day AI Fest 2026 engaging over 6,000 students across 10 campuses
February 18, 2026: The ASM Group of Institutes marked the opening of ASM AI Fest 2026 on February 9 with a synchronised digital keynote delivered simultaneously across 10 campuses through the AI Digital Twin of its Chairman. The address, observed in person by Dr. Sandeep Pachpande, was broadcast in real time to thousands of students, faculty members, and administrative teams, signalling the start of an institution wide artificial intelligence integration drive.
The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s IndiaAI Mission and the broader Digital India vision, positioning AI Fest 2026 as one of the region’s largest academic skilling efforts in artificial intelligence. Running from February 9 to 28, the festival is engaging more than 6,000 students through structured, hands on learning formats.
Built around the theme “Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.”, the festival integrates artificial intelligence across academic instruction, research practices, institutional administration, and skill development programmes. The approach is structured level wise, ensuring AI adoption spans undergraduate, postgraduate, technical, and school education.
Management students enrolled in MBA and PGDM programmes at ASM’s IBMR, ASM’s IPS, and ASM’s IIBR are undergoing training in AI driven business analytics, marketing automation, and financial modelling to support data informed strategic decision making. MCA and Engineering students at ASM’s IBMR and ASM’s NextGen Technical Campus are working with machine learning tools, AI coding assistants, and applied project implementations to strengthen technical proficiency and industry readiness.
At the undergraduate level, students at ASM’s CSIT are incorporating AI applications into entrepreneurship models, digital business strategies, and data based decision frameworks. The initiative extends further to school and junior college students at ASM’s GEMS, ASM’s EMPROS International School, ASM’s CSIT Junior College, and ASM’s GJC, where foundational AI literacy and ethical awareness are being introduced to encourage responsible technology engagement from an early stage.
The programme also includes non teaching and administrative staff, broadening AI integration across operational systems. This institutional inclusion aims to create a unified academic ecosystem supported by artificial intelligence tools and processes.
Workshops led by industry practitioners focus on practical implementation, productivity enhancement, and applied innovation. The overarching objective is to ensure that graduating students develop an AI First Mindset that views artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance human capability, creativity, and ethical judgement.
Dr. Sandeep Pachpande said, “AI Fest 2026 represents our commitment to preparing students not merely for employment, but for leadership in an AI-driven economy. At ASM, we firmly believe that technology must enhance human potential, creativity, and ethical responsibility. Our mission is to ensure that every learner becomes confident, capable, and future-ready, because learning today is what empowers us to lead tomorrow.”
Since its launch, campuses have reported strong participation and cross disciplinary collaboration. The Digital Twin keynote has drawn attention as a demonstration of technology led academic transformation within Maharashtra. The festival will conclude on February 28 with a synchronised closing ceremony across ASM institutions, recognising student projects, AI applications, and milestones achieved during the programme.
The ASM Group of Institutes educates more than 6,000 students annually across 10 institutions and has a global alumni base exceeding 75,000 professionals. Through AI Fest 2026, the group signals a structured shift toward embedding artificial intelligence into its academic and operational framework.
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