Changing The Game With Industry Insights
Students at Jio Institute learn from the best in the business, both within and beyond the campus. The Institute regularly welcomes industry stalwarts and thought leaders to provide insights on challenges and the ways businesses navigate them. This was illustrated through two recent conclaves on the sports industry and AI. These occasions highlight the Institute's commitment to our motto “Learning for Life”, which encourages the students to learn, unlearn and relearn.
Illuminating the Routes to a Radiant Sporting Future
Jio Institute organized a panel discussion on Sports Consulting as part of the Sports Conclave on ‘Navigating the Landscape of Opportunities in the Sports Industry.’ The panel featured four distinguished speakers and leaders from the sports industry – Abhishek Binaykia, Partner, Digital Transformation & Head of Technology, Center of Excellence, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP; Indrani Das Blah, Vice President, Reliance Sports; Indrnil Choudhury, Manager, EY-India; and Pranshu Jain, Executive Director, PwC. The panelists were welcomed by Dr Palak Sheth, Project Director at Jio Institute, who shed light on the importance of sports management and the programme's potential to provide trained resources to this burgeoning industry. He also highlighted the institute’s facilities, including one of the nation’s best 400-meter athletic tracks. The panelists emphasized how AI is reshaping the education sector and the sports industry. The panelists highlighted the importance of AI, and how the learnings from industry experts in this domain can translate to applications in taking the sport industry into a novel era of technological advancement.
Indrnil Choudhury – Manager, EY-India said, “Investing in Youth and Grassroots Development is a strategic move for sports organizations as it’s a cost-effective path to nurture talent, reduce player and coaching expenses, and ensure a substantial return on investment in the business of sports.”
Championing Sports Marketing Innovation
In the second discussion, industry veterans explored strategies and trends in India’s booming sports marketing sector. The discussion centered around the rise of league sports and the role of technology. Chintan Shah, Director, Content Business, Social Media, and Video Production at Sportz Interactive, highlighted the value of digital marketing in engaging fans. The conversation also focused on changing fan expectations and how marketing strategies must adapt to meet these demands.
Toshan Patil, Co-founder and Director at Meraki Sport & Entertainment, called for integrated solutions across sponsorship, athlete representation, events, digital media, and sports CSR advisory. Patil said, “If you look at the Indian context, there are teams that have monetized their fan base tremendously, and there are teams that have not been able to do that. A bespoke approach is required for each of these.” The discussion then turned to the inexorable role of technology in the sports industry, covering topics like the metaverse and AI. The panelists, including Hoshedar Gundevia, Head of Digital at RISE Worldwide, and Peter Sprenger, CEO of Techonomy, provided information on the latest innovations in fan experiences. They discussed advancements ranging from immersive virtual stadiums to personalized content recommendations. The discussion offered valuable insights into sports marketing and operations, leaving the students inspired by the unanimous prediction of a promising future for sports marketers by the experts.
Harnessing the Power of AI
Jio Institute hosted another conclave on the latest developments in AI, titled "Embracing AI Disruption – Skill Sets Required in the Changing Workplace." Industry experts highlighted that AI, rather than being a job threat, requires adapting to new skills. They stressed the need to update laws like the Digital India Act to match the evolving digital landscape. While some see AI as an opportunity for learning and adaptation, others anticipate job changes, creating new opportunities. The event attracted distinguished experts like Dr. Subi Chaturvedi, Global SVP, Chief Corporate Affairs & Public Policy Officer at InMobi; Samir Shah, Executive Director at PwC; and Arindam Ghosh, Chief Technical Officer, Head of Corporate Strategy and Digital at Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Raveendra Chittoor, Dean of the School of Professional Studies & Executive Education at Jio Institute.
Weighing the potential disruption of AI, most speakers argued it was an opportunity rather than a challenge, a chance to adapt and learn. Others felt some jobs were threatened, but new opportunities would arise. Either way, they called for new regulations to keep pace with the industry’s evolution, especially in the Digital India Act, which had remained unchanged for two decades. Dr Subi Chaturvedi said, “In AI, focusing on Attention, Behaviour, Choice of tools and Data balancing and regulation (ABCD) is crucial, considering the diverse needs and models. For instance, the application of data and choices varies between a landlocked country and a coastal
region like Chennai, where shipping and port access play a significant role.”
