Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Venue: E Block Seminar Hall 3
Organised by: Presidency School of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing (PSAIAC), Department of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (AIR), in association with HARVEST – AgriTech Innovation

Presidency School of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing (PSAIAC), Department of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (AIR), in association with HARVEST – AgriTech Innovation, organised NEXOVATE 2.0 – The Engineer’s Pitch, an innovation-focused Pitchathon on 15 September 2026 at E Block Seminar Hall 3.

The event provided students with a platform to explore emerging technologies, address real-world challenges and present innovative, technology-driven solutions. The Pitchathon focused on themes including AI for a Safer Digital Future, Responsible AI, AI for Industry 5.0, Autonomous Intelligence and AI Beyond Boundaries.

The session featured insights from Mr Sivakumar Dhakshinamoorthy, a technology and cybersecurity leader with over 27 years of experience in IT services. His expertise spans cybersecurity, Generative AI security, AI governance, data privacy and technology leadership. He offered valuable perspectives on building secure, trustworthy and responsible AI systems.

Key areas discussed included AI security, cybersecurity, Responsible AI, AI governance, robotics security, Agentic AI, Guardian Agents, Sovereign and Small Models, Physical AI, privacy-preserving learning and compliance automation. Participants were also introduced to key frameworks and standards, including the EU AI Act, India’s DPDP Act, NIST AI Risk Management Framework and ISO/IEC 42001.

The session highlighted emerging AI security threats such as prompt injection, data poisoning, model theft, adversarial attacks, supply-chain compromise and excessive agency. Participants were encouraged to consider security across the complete AI pipeline, encompassing data, models, agents and real-world actions.

A key focus of the event was the evolving role of engineers in the AI era. Participants were encouraged to move beyond traditional coding roles and develop capabilities as system thinkers, responsible innovators, governors and accountable technology owners.

Interactive Q&A and discussion sessions enabled students to explore challenges, opportunities, research areas and innovation possibilities across AI, cybersecurity, governance and robotics.

Participants also received guidance on developing impactful ideas by identifying measurable problems, assessing feasibility, considering risks, protecting privacy and ensuring human accountability.

The event witnessed the participation of 94 students and five faculty members. Overall, NEXOVATE 2.0 provided an engaging platform for students to strengthen their understanding of emerging AI technologies while encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship, responsible technology development and problem-solving.

The event concluded with an emphasis on developing secure, responsible, governed and impactful AI solutions capable of addressing real-world challenges.