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Research across boundaries
Promote interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange across AI, trade, business and sustainability.
Orchid University is a partner institution
ICATS 2026 International Conference on AI, Trade and Sustainability
A global platform for academicians, researchers, industry professionals and policymakers to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping trade, commerce and sustainable development — and what responsible growth looks like in an AI-powered economy.
Dates6–7 October 2026Tuesday to Wednesday
VenueBML Munjal UniversityGurugram, India
ModeHybridIn person or online
Jointly presented by
Orchid UniversitySikkim · Partner institution
BML Munjal UniversityGurugram · Host campus
Confab 360 DegreeNew Delhi · Conference partner
About the conference
Where artificial intelligence meets trade, and both meet their responsibilities.
As economies absorb rapid technological change, deepening globalisation and pressing sustainability demands, AI has become a decisive enabler of innovation and efficiency — and a question of governance. ICATS 2026 brings technology, business, economics, management, social science and public policy into the same room to work through both halves of that.
Across two days of keynotes, technical sessions, panel discussions and industry forums, delegates present research, compare practice and build partnerships across academia, industry, government and civil society.
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Solutions that work in practice
Explore AI-driven solutions that improve business performance, trade efficiency and economic resilience.
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Academia, industry and policy together
Foster collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers on shared global challenges.
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Responsible transformation
Encourage sustainable and responsible business practice through digital transformation.
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Ethical and inclusive development
Advance discussion of ethical and inclusive development aligned to global economic and environmental goals.
Tracks
Five themes, and the questions inside them.
Submissions are invited across all five tracks. The sub-themes below are indicative, not exhaustive.
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Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
- Generative AI and large language models
- Machine learning and deep learning applications
- AI in decision-making and business intelligence
- Internet of Things and smart systems
- Blockchain, Web3 and digital innovation
- Robotics, automation and Industry 5.0
- Cybersecurity and AI-driven risk management
- Ethical and responsible AI
02
Trade, Commerce and the Digital Economy
- Digital trade and cross-border commerce
- E-commerce and omnichannel retailing
- FinTech and digital payment systems
- Global trade policies and economic integration
- Supply chain digitalisation and logistics
- International business and market expansion
- Consumer analytics and digital marketing
- Trade competitiveness in the AI era
03
Sustainable Business and Management
- Sustainable business models and strategies
- ESG practices
- Corporate social responsibility and shared value
- Green entrepreneurship and innovation
- Circular economy and resource efficiency
- Sustainable operations and supply chain management
- Responsible leadership and governance
- Climate change and business resilience
04
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Future of Work
- Innovation management and technology adoption
- Start-up ecosystems and entrepreneurial development
- Digital transformation and organisational change
- Human–AI collaboration in the workplace
- Future skills and workforce development
- Talent management in the digital age
- Innovation in SMEs and family businesses
- Knowledge management and organisational learning
05
AI, Society, Education and Sustainable Development
- AI in education and learning innovation
- Smart governance and public policy
- Sustainable Development Goals and technology
- Digital inclusion and social innovation
- AI for healthcare and social well-being
- Data ethics, privacy and governance
- Technology for rural and community development
- Interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable development
Guest & Speakers
Academics and industry leaders from eleven countries. The programme is confirmed by the conference secretariat and may still change.
8 speakers
Keynote speakers
Dr. Mark de Souza James
Senior Quality Solutions Lead
Roche
Dr. Miguel Sahagun
High-Point University
USA
Prof. Fernando Ortiz-Rodríguez
Tamaulipas Autonomous University (UAT)
Mexico
Prof. (Dr.) Anoop Pandey
HNB Garhwal University
Uttarakhand, India
Dr. Randa Diab-Bahman
Assistant Dean / Professor & GCC Expert
Kuwait
Prof. Fernando Moreira
Full Professor, Science and Technology Department
Universidade Portucalense (UPT)
Assoc. Prof. (Dr.) Yovogan Marcellin
Sofia University
Bulgaria
Prof. (Dr.) Asokan Vasudevan
INTI International University
Malaysia
8 leaders
Industry leaders
Mr. Sunday Clement
Regional Director (West Africa), Healthcare Solutions
Nigeria
Mr. Sitaram Tadepalli
Senior Vice President, DBS Bank
India
Mr. Deepayan Kumar Das
Managing Director, MAHR Metrology India Pvt. Ltd
India
Mr. Ganesh Kashyap
CEO, Landis+Gyr India and Global Development Center
India
Mr. Kundan Das
Vice President, Sales 4.0 Smart Industry Advisory
India
Mr. Vivekanandhan Koodalingam
Founder, Faraday Ozone
India
Mr. Rinoo Rajesh
Principal Advisor, Twimbit
India
Mr. Sanjay Kumar Sharma
Director, Physics Wallah
India
Organising Committee
ICATS 2026 is organised jointly by BML Munjal University, Confab 360 Degree and Orchid University. Orchid’s founders serve as Chief Patrons.
3 patrons
Chief Patrons
Prof. (Dr.) Nishu Ayedee
Confab 360 Degree
India
Dr. Arjun Mishra
Founder and CEO, Orchid University
India
Dr. Vikas Shukla
Co-founder, Orchid University
India
2 chairs
Conference Chair
Prof. (Dr.) Anuj Kumar
Rushford Business School
Switzerland
Michael E. Auer
CEO, CTI Consulting — Technology & Information
2 co-chairs
Conference Co-Chair
Dr. Jolly Masih
SOM, BML Munjal University
Gurugram
Dr. Atul Mishra
SOET, BML Munjal University
Gurugram
Important dates
What closes when.
Full paper submission
10 Sep
2026
Decision on full paper
17 Sep
2026
Revised paper submission
25 Sep
2026
Registration opens
17 Sep
2026
Registration closes
30 Sep
2026
The conference
6–7 Oct
2026
Papers go to confab360degree@gmail.com. Submission guidelines, review and ethics policy, registration fees, publication outlets and the full scientific committee are published on the conference site.
Why Orchid is in this
A university built on the same question.
Orchid University exists to close the distance between what is taught and what work actually demands. Every student begins a paid apprenticeship in their first semester and graduates with a UGC-recognised degree and real industry experience behind them.
AI is rewriting the jobs our students are training for while they train for them. A conference examining that shift alongside trade and sustainability is not a side interest for us — it is the argument our academic model is built on.
“Learn & Earn from Day One” is not a slogan about employability. It is a claim that education and work belong in the same sentence — which is exactly what an AI-shaped economy is about to insist on.
Venue
BML Munjal University
67th Milestone, NH 48Kapriwas, Gurugram
Haryana 122413, India
Founded by the Hero Group. BMU hosts ICATS 2026 on campus, with online participation for delegates who cannot travel.
Hybrid mode
On campus in Gurugram,or join online
Take part
Registration, fees and submission are handled by the conference secretariat.
Full submission guidelines, the review and ethics policy, registration fees, publication outlets and committee listings live on the official ICATS 2026 site.