IIM Visakhapatnam commenced a five-day Executive Development Programme, “Leadership with AI,” for senior-level officers of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL). The programme aims to equip senior leaders with the understanding and practical judgement to champion, govern and apply AI-driven solutions across organisational functions.

The programme was inaugurated in the presence of Sandip Shah, GM (HR/HRD), MCL, who encouraged participants to interact, ask questions, take an active interest and innovate. The participants were warmly welcomed by Prof. M. Chandrasekhar, Director, IIM Visakhapatnam.

Led by Prof. Vijaya Bhaskar Marisetty and Prof. Abhishek Srivastava, the programme brings together IIMV faculty and industry experts, including Shri Kiran Shetty, President and Head of Digital Transformation, Hindalco Industries Ltd.; Hem Raj, Head, Hindalco Technical University; Laxmi Chander, mining and Digital/AI transformation professional; and Dr. Ravi Shankar, AI and industry transformation expert.

Carefully curated following a comprehensive needs assessment, the programme is built around three key principles: AI as a leadership challenge, learning tailored to the industry context, and measurable value creation through AI. Sessions cover AI leadership, data strategy, AI applications in mining, procurement and supply chains, safety and environment, asset management, corporate governance, and digital transformation, with a focus on practical applications relevant to MCL’s operational context.