Naidu, Lokesh To Lead Pan-IIT Summit on AP’s DeepTech Ambitions
Naidu, Lokesh to lead October 3 summit focused on technology-led growth and investment
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Education Minister Nara Lokesh will lead the Pan-IIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026 here on October 3, with the state seeking to position itself as a global hub for DeepTech, innovation and technology-led growth.
The summit, at the Dr BR Ambedkar Convention Centre, would be organised by PanIIT Alumni India under the theme “Andhra’s DeepTech Decade: Anchored by PanIIT – Swarnandhra to Viksit Bharat 2047.”
IIT directors and faculty, senior government officials, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, startup and technology experts will deliberate on building a globally competitive DeepTech ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh.
The discussions will focus on AI and DeepTech, semiconductors and data centres, quantum technologies, defence and aerospace, green energy, MedTech and healthcare, AgriTech, entrepreneurship and skilling, and AI-enabled governance.
A release here on Friday says the summit would seek stronger government-IIT-industry-investor-startup collaboration in research and development, innovation, investment, technology adoption and skill development.
A major focus would be on creating a long-term partnership between PanIIT Alumni India, the IIT ecosystem, the AP government and industry. Proposed initiatives include a PanIIT Amaravati Council, DeepTech investment mechanisms and a Global IIT Mentor Network, aimed at connecting the state’s entrepreneurs, innovators and youth with the global IIT alumni and technology ecosystem.
PanIIT Alumni India chairman Prabhat Kumar said the organisation was keen to play a catalytic role in AP’s growth story, citing the state’s global diaspora and potential in AI and emerging technologies.
Vice-chairman of the entity, Amitabh Ranjan, said AP’s long coastline, mineral resources, connectivity and talent base provided strategic advantages for the state to become a major economic and technology hub.
Summit chair Swadeep Pillarisetti said the event would bring together technology, capital and skills across the government, industry and all 23 IITs to translate the Swarna Andhra 2047 vision into tangible opportunities. Co-chair Rajesh Dasari said the focus would be on actionable partnerships in research, innovation, entrepreneurship and industry.
Several prominent figures are expected to attend, including NHA CEO Sunil Kumar Barnwal, NXP Semiconductors India MD Hitesh Garg, IIT Madras School of AI head Prof Ravindran, IBM India and South Asia CTO Amith Singhee, and senior representatives of L&T Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace, CSIR-CFTRI and SLB.
