IIT2026 Global Conference Explores AI, Global Ties; Sadhguru Urges ‘Civilizational’ View of India

Photo: YouTube screengrab

India-West News Desk

LONG BEACH, CA – The IIT2026 Global Conference brought together leaders from across the United States and India, focusing on the future of artificial intelligence, healthcare, investment, and global collaboration in an increasingly connected world.

Held at the Long Beach Convention Center from April 22 to 25, the gathering featured keynote sessions, industry panels, workshops, and cultural programming designed to bridge innovation with community engagement. Organizers said the event aimed to create a platform where technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and thinkers could exchange ideas shaping the next phase of global development.

The conference, organized by alumni and supporters of the Indian Institutes of Technology as part of its 75th anniversary milestone, highlighted the institution’s global footprint and its role in producing a significant share of Indian-origin technology professionals in the United States.

Executives and speakers from major companies including NVIDIA, OpenAI, Microsoft, Boeing, and CVS Health led discussions across four primary tracks-AI, investment, healthcare, and global connections—while workshops and youth programs added a broader educational dimension.

Amid the focus on technology and industry, Sadhguru emerged as one of the conference’s most prominent voices, drawing attention for his keynote and subsequent sessions that introduced a philosophical lens to the proceedings.

In his opening address, titled “Technologies for Wellbeing: Tapping the Inner Potential,” Sadhguru emphasized that technological capability alone is not enough to address global challenges. “Today, human beings have the necessary capabilities, resources, and technologies to address every issue on the planet. The only thing that’s missing is inclusive consciousness,” he said.

Speaking to the California audience, he also offered a broader perspective on India’s identity, urging listeners to view it “as a civilization, not a nation.” The remark became a focal point of discussion during the conference, reframing India’s historical and cultural narrative in the context of modern global discourse.

The conference also featured master Amjad Ali Khan and Shankar-Eeshan-Loy in concert.