Telangana IT minister Sridhar Babu invites BITSian diaspora to partner in state’s AI mission

Hyderabad: Telangana minister for IT, electronics and communications Duddilla Sridhar Babu on Saturday invited the global alumni community of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS Pilani) to partner with the state government in its mission to position Hyderabad as a leading global hub for artificial intelligence.

Addressing the second day of the BITSAA Global Meet 2026 (BGM’26) at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus, the minister said the expertise and global exposure of the BITSian diaspora could act as a “force multiplier” in strengthening Telangana’s innovation and startup ecosystem, particularly in emerging technologies such as AI.

Sridhar Babu attended the conclave as chief guest and was joined by Prem Jain, co-founder of Pensando Systems; Anita Sakuru, chairperson of BGM 2026; Rakesh Verma, founder and chairman of MapmyIndia; and Mayur Patnala, chief executive officer of BGM 2026. The session also featured a virtual address by Kumar Mangalam Birla, chancellor of BITS Pilani.

In his remarks, Birla spoke on the “BITSian spirit” and the importance of ethical leadership in an era of rapid technological disruption. He said the institute’s legacy is shaped not only by academic rigour but also by the resilience, adaptability and values demonstrated by its alumni across sectors and geographies.

Discussions during the day focused on themes such as “purposeful and human-centred AI” and the development of frontier technologies for India. The conclave also featured sessions led by BITS alumni in the civil services, a 90-day startup launch workshop, and the ‘Impact Dolphins’ initiative aimed at social giving and community engagement.

As deliberations on future roadmaps for the BITSAA International community continue, the three-day conclave is entering its final phase, with the event scheduled to conclude on Sunday, January 11.

About BITSAA Global Meet

The BITSAA Global Meet is a triennial alumni conclave that brings together BITS Pilani alumni from across the world. The inaugural edition was held in 2011 in Gurugram, followed by meets in Hyderabad, Dubai, Goa and Jaipur. The 2026 edition marks a return to Hyderabad and is expected to convene over 1,000 global leaders from diverse fields under the leadership of Anita Sakuru, chairperson, and Mayur Patnala, chief executive officer, BGM 2026.