Kerala's Landmark AI Summit Charts Future of Finance and Accounting
Thiruvananthapuram: A groundbreaking two-day summit delving into the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence on finance and accounting commenced at Technopark on Saturday. This significant gathering united a diverse assembly of professionals, prominent industry leaders, and key policymakers to engage in deep deliberations on the sector's forthcoming trajectory.
Summit Inauguration and Key Themes
Titled the NextGen Finance AI Summit 2026, the event is a collaborative effort organized by the Professional Development & CPE Committee of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). It is held in association with Technopark, the Southern India Regional Council (SIRC) of ICMAI, and its Thiruvananthapuram Chapter.
Inaugurating the summit, N K Premachandran, MP, emphasized the profound and sweeping changes artificial intelligence is introducing to the finance profession. He articulated that the domain is experiencing a fundamental structural shift, moving away from traditional manual processes toward strategic intelligence and data-driven decision-making frameworks.
"There is a clear transition in finance from routine processing to strategic insight powered by technology. Professionals must therefore become more competent, both technologically and ethically," he stated, underscoring the critical relevance of the summit's central theme: Transforming Finance with AI: From Automation to Insight.
Addressing AI's Impact on Employment
Citing a notable report by the McKinsey Global Institute, Premachandran highlighted projections indicating that by 2030, nearly 25% of existing jobs in India could be influenced or affected by AI advancements. In this context, he stressed the imperative to harness AI effectively, not only to mitigate potential job losses but also to proactively create new opportunities and roles within the evolving economic landscape.
A Historic Milestone for ICMAI
Presiding over the inaugural session, Srinivasa Prasad, President of ICMAI, described the summit as the first of its kind in Kerala and a significant milestone in the institute's storied history. He affirmed that this initiative reflects ICMAI's steadfast commitment to equipping its members for a rapidly evolving financial and technological environment.
Prasad observed that AI-driven management in finance extends far beyond mere cost control, encompassing the optimization of overall resource management and strategic operational efficiency.
Event Participation and Agenda Highlights
Pranav Jayan, Chairman of the ICMAI Thiruvananthapuram Chapter, extended a warm welcome to the assembled participants. The event also saw the presence of Suresh R Gunjalli, Chairman of the Members in Industry & PSUs Committee of ICMAI, alongside regional council members Gomathisankar and Praveen Kumar.
The inaugural day featured an engaging lineup of sessions, including discussions on Next Gen Finance Automation & Google Apps Script, VBA Automation and Vibe Coding, and an interactive robotic demonstration. On the second day, the focus will shift to transformative topics such as revolutionizing financial reporting through automation and advanced risk analysis, exploring the digital twin model of costing, and conducting interactive demonstrations led by industry experts.
