17/08/2026
Launched at the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026, part of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, IIM Lucknow today welcomed the first cohort of its first undergraduate programme, the BS in Artificial Intelligence & Business Analytics.
Addressing the inaugural cohort, Prof. M.P. Gupta, Director, IIM Lucknow, spoke about the larger purpose behind the programme and the responsibility that comes with being part of its first batch. He emphasised that the programme has been thoughtfully designed not merely as an academic offering, but as one part of a larger vision to contribute to India’s growth story by bringing together technology, artificial intelligence, and management. He encouraged the students to recognise that their journey at IIM Lucknow is only the beginning, and that the knowledge and capabilities they build here can help create meaningful impact in the years ahead. As Prof. Gupta emphasised, “The entire programme is strongly built with the idea to create a very definite impact in India’s growth story.”
The induction programme was attended by Prof. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Dean (Programmes); Prof. Suresh Kumar Jakhar, Chairperson, BS (AI & BA); and Prof. Pradeep Kumar, Chairperson, Admissions. The inaugural session brought together voices from across India’s AI ecosystem — Mr. Sandeep Saini, Business Head, Sovereign AI Business, HCLTech; Ms. Sheena Rani R, DS & DG (MCC), DRDO; Dr. Manish Gupta, Senior Director, Google DeepMind, who joined the session via video conference; and Shri Alok Kumar (IAS), Principal Secretary, IT & Electronics, Planning & Programme Implementation — offering students perspectives spanning technology, AI research, defence, industry, and public policy.
As this first cohort begins its journey in 2026, the programme looks towards the professionals they will become by 2030, equipped to contribute to India’s growing AI ecosystem and its wider development journey. Their journey reflects the larger vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 articulated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi: building capabilities today that can shape India’s growth for decades to come.