AI, shifting industries are redefining careers: Market experts

GUWAHATI

Artificial intelligence (AI) and shifting industries are redefining careers, requiring management students to adapt beyond what they learn in institutes, financial market experts said in Meghalaya’s capital, Shillong.

The Indian Institute of Management-Shillong (IIM-Shillong) invited Anoop Mehta, president of Bharat Diamond Bourse, and Vijay Kedia, managing director of Kedia Securities, for its 17th annual convocation on April 2.

The ceremony witnessed the conferment of degrees upon 469 graduating students, including 395 from the postgraduate (PG) programme (2024-26 batch), 54 from the PG programme for executives (2025-26 batch), and 15 from the PG programme for working executives (2024-26 batch). Five scholars were also awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

“The non-linear landscape of IIM-Shillong mirrors the evolving world graduates are stepping into. Rapid advancements in AI and shifting industries are redefining careers, making adaptability and grounded thinking more important than ever,” Mr. Mehta said.

He encouraged the graduates to embrace growth through challenges, remain curious and resilient, and focus on continuous self-improvement, reminding them that success lies not in knowing everything, but in constantly evolving.

Mr. Kedia praised IIM-Shillong for emerging as a formidable force in management education in less than two decades. Emphasising the rapidly changing global landscape, he said that the coming decade will reward direction and adaptability over degrees.

Rapid strides

“India’s moment has already begun, with opportunities rooted in sectors like technology, energy, and digital platforms, and urged graduates to participate in this transformation,” he said.

Shishir Kumar Bajoria, the chairman of the Board of Governors of IIM-Shillong, noted that the unique learning experience of India’s northeastern region, where development coexists with nature, culture, and community. He agreed with Mr Kedia’s belief that success in the years ahead will depend not on how much one knows, but on how quickly one can adapt.

Professor Naliniprava Tripathy, the director in charge of IIM-Shillong, presented the institute’s annual report. She highlighted the institute’s growing global footprint through seven agreements with leading international universities, bringing the total number of international collaborations to 37.

She also emphasised the institute’s progress towards the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EQUIS (European Foundation for Management Development Quality Improvement System) accreditations, and its debut in the QS Global Rankings.