Major Data Science Conference Wraps Up in Kolkata
The 10th International Conference on Data Management, Analytics and Innovation finished its three-day run on Saturday. St. Xavier's College in Kolkata hosted the event, which served as a vital bridge between academic research and industry needs in fast-growing fields like artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation.
Strong Participation and Research Focus
ICDMAI 2026 ran from January 9 to 11, marking the second straight year the college organized this international forum. The Society for Data Sciences arranged the conference as an Official Pre-Summit Event of the AI Impact Summit, boosting its national and international profile.
Each day, more than 200 people attended. The crowd included policymakers, academics, industry leaders, researchers, students, and representatives from international organizations. They discussed artificial intelligence, data analytics, innovation, and responsible technology use.
The conference demonstrated robust research activity. It received 373 paper submissions from institutions across India and abroad. After a strict peer-review process, organizers selected 81 papers for presentation.
Research covered many areas, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, data management, analytics, and innovation. Papers highlighted both theoretical advances and practical solutions matching industry requirements.
Key Announcements and Leadership
During the conference, Amol Goje, President of the Society for Data Sciences, announced a significant outreach initiative. He allocated 100 hours of GPU computing resources to St. Xavier's College. This support should boost hands-on research, experimentation, and applied learning in AI and machine learning for students and faculty.
Dr. Saptarsi Goswami and Prof. Kanadpriya Basu led the organizing effort as Chairs. Their coordination ensured a structured technical program and maintained consistent academic standards throughout the event.
Prof. Basu reflected on the milestone tenth edition. He stated, "ICDMAI has reaffirmed its position as a significant forum for advancing research, policy dialogue, and institutional collaboration in artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation. It strengthens connections between education, governance, and global perspectives."
Institutional and Government Support
Rev. Dr. Dominic Savio, SJ, Principal of St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, provided active encouragement and institutional support for hosting the conference. Under his leadership, the college continues to promote research-led initiatives, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global academic engagement. ICDMAI has become a key platform for enhancing research culture and student exposure to emerging technologies.
Binod Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Government of West Bengal, served as Chief Guest and addressed the inaugural session. He highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence and analytics in governance, education, and institutional decision-making. Kumar emphasized the need for informed policy frameworks and closer collaboration between academia and government to harness AI for public benefit.
Distinguished Speakers and Global Perspectives
Dr. Anindita Ganguly, Director of Technical Education for the Government of West Bengal, delivered the Valedictory Distinguished Lecture. She spoke about the evolving responsibilities of technical education authorities in an AI-driven ecosystem. Ganguly underscored the importance of platforms like ICDMAI in bridging academic research, institutional practice, and policy formulation.
International and diplomatic engagement was evident through the presence of Samidha Redkar, Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate Kolkata. She attended as the Inaugural Guest, highlighting the importance of global academic collaboration and dialogue in artificial intelligence and data sciences.
Rangina Hamidi, an educator, author, and former Minister of Education of Afghanistan, was among the distinguished invited speakers. A prominent advocate for women's education and empowerment, she founded Kandahar Treasure, Afghanistan's first women-owned social enterprise. Hamidi brought a global and human-centered perspective to discussions on education, leadership, and the social dimensions of technology.
Broad Network of Supporting Partners
The conference enjoyed support from a wide network of partners. Organizing Partners included the Society for Data Sciences and St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. Academic Partners comprised Adamas University and the A.K. Choudhury School of Information Technology at the University of Calcutta.
The International Institute of Hotel Management provided hospitality support. Community partners included Women in AI, Coding Ninjas, and the 10x Club. Wizertech Informatics Pvt. Ltd. served as the Technology Partner. Friends FM 91.9 acted as the Official Radio Partner, extending the conference's outreach to a broader public audience.
