Elevate 2025: The Future of Retail, AI, and Education Unveiled
In a world where technology and industry are evolving at breakneck speed, staying ahead of the curve is no longer an option—it’s a necessity. Elevate 2025, an exclusive industry engagement event hosted by Jio Institute alongside Reliance Retail, brought together top retail leaders, HR professionals, and academics to dissect the forces shaping the future. The verdict? AI, adaptability, and industry-academia collaboration are the defining pillars of success.
Education: The Powerhouse of Progress
Dr Dipak Jain, Vice-Chancellor of Jio Institute, set the tone by underscoring the three core dimensions of academia—academic relevance, business relevance, and social significance. He attributed India’s economic resilience to its commitment to education, youth-driven growth, and cultural dynamism. With over 700 million people under 30, India is brimming with untapped potential. But education must do more than inform—it must prepare.
“The key is to keep our feet on the ground while looking towards the horizon,” Dr Jain remarked, urging businesses to embrace both pragmatism and visionary thinking. He further noted that business schools should train students to structure unstructured problems, fostering critical thinking, reasoning, execution, and evaluation.
Dr Palak Sheth, Project Director at Jio Institute, highlighted the importance of industry collaboration in shaping educational programs. “The success of an institute lies in its ability to stay ahead of market trends and industry demands. Project-based learning in collaboration with industry experts is vital to ensuring students develop the necessary skills to navigate an evolving technological landscape,” he said.
AI: The New Electricity
Dr Shailesh Kumar, Dean at Jio Institute, put it bluntly: AI is more transformative than electricity or fire. AI isn’t just a tool; it’s the engine driving predictive intelligence, business optimisation, and customer engagement. From FMCG to fintech, businesses are leveraging AI to refine decision-making, personalise experiences, and streamline operations.
“AI is no longer just a supporting tool; it is now a driving force behind business optimisation, predictive intelligence, and ecosystem intelligence,” Dr Kumar elaborated. He emphasised the rise of super-apps—integrated platforms catering to diverse consumer needs—as a game-changer. Retailers must harness AI’s power to stay competitive, whether through predictive algorithms or seamless customer interactions.
Mr Girish V., Head of Data Platforms at Innoviti, reinforced the importance of data literacy and analytical skills, stating, “Businesses increasingly rely on AI-driven insights to enhance decision-making and customer engagement. Proficiency in handling and interpreting data is now a fundamental requirement across industries.”
The Industry-Academia Gap: A Call to Action
A lively panel discussion exposed a pressing concern: the disconnect between academic learning and industry demands. Employers seek graduates who aren’t just technically proficient but adaptable and problem-solving. AI is shifting job roles from mere execution to formulation—identifying problems and crafting innovative solutions.
Mr Rajeev Kesarwani, Account Director at RazorPay, emphasised the necessity for practical skill sets, while Mr Akshay Goenka, also an Account Director at RazorPay, stressed the importance of agility and openness to learning. Ms Bani Khurana, Head - Campus Cadre at Reliance Retail, highlighted the growing demand for professionals with cross-functional expertise and a keen understanding of market dynamics.
Dr Shailesh Kumar underscored the ‘art of formulation’—the ability to identify real-world problems and creatively reimagine solutions using AI. “AI should not replace structured learning but complement it,” he said. The panellists agreed that structured education provides foundational knowledge, critical thinking skills, and ethical considerations that AI alone cannot offer.
The Road Ahead
Ample discussions in Elevate 2025 contended a variety of thoughts and left us with the optimism that AI will not replace human intelligence—it will amplify it. Businesses and educational institutions must collaborate to equip future professionals with the skills to thrive in an AI-driven world. With adaptability, continuous learning, and ethical AI implementation, the future is bright.
As Dr Jain aptly put it, “Knowledge-seeking is the currency of progress.” And those who invest in it will lead the charge into tomorrow.
The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony, followed by a high tea and networking session. This provided an invaluable opportunity for students, academics, and industry professionals to engage in discussions, share insights, and forge potential collaborations. Elevate 2025 successfully highlighted the intersection of academia, technology, and industry, reaffirming India’s role as a leader in education and innovation.