The School of Business Studies (SBS) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi successfully organized the IBA-SBS 3rd International Conference 2024 on ‘Innovation and Disruption: Business Success Through AI’ at its Main Campus. The event saw participation from esteemed national and international academicians, researchers, practitioners, students, and speakers.

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In his opening remarks, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, warmly welcomed the attendees to the dynamic conference. He highlighted the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on various aspects of life and business, stating, “The presence of artificial intelligence is causing major interference, disruption in how we think about life and the School of Business Studies is particularly impacted by such interferences and innovations.” Dr. Zaidi underscored the importance of such conferences to address the evolving challenges and opportunities presented by AI, emphasizing the need for Pakistan to catch up in this crucial area.

Dean SBS and Conference Chair, Dr. Abdullah Zafar Sheikh, delivered the welcome remarks, discussing the potential of AI to drive business success. He emphasized, “We are living in an era which is nearly impossible without artificial intelligence. Universities are key actors in the development of digital culture and business schools take center stage when it comes to such discussions and dialogues.” Dr. Sheikh also highlighted the goal of integrating technology into the business school curriculum to leverage AI and digital transformation.

Associate Professor SBS and Conference Convener, Dr. Irum Saba, provided the introductory remarks, highlighting the uniqueness of IBA’s SBS International Conference. She noted that this year’s conference received 130 research papers, articles, and case studies from around the world, with participation from more than 15 Pakistani universities. Dr. Saba expressed delight in providing a platform for intellectual discourse on AI and its nuances.

The Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Sindh, and Guest of Honor, Dr. Tariq Rafi, commended IBA for organizing the conference on such a relevant topic. He spoke on the application of AI in education, stating, “Through strategic partnership with industry leaders, development agencies, and international organizations, we are working to bridge the gap between academia and industry.” Dr. Rafi emphasized the collective exploration of AI’s possibilities, challenges, and ethical implications.

Federal Minister of Maritime Affairs, Pakistan, and Chief Guest, Mr. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, highlighted the importance of AI in modernizing industries and improving operational efficiencies. He remarked, “Today’s topic of Artificial Intelligence is of great importance. Businesses in Pakistan, many of which are family-run, have not taken advantage of the innovations of AI.” Mr. Sheikh stressed that AI offers immense opportunities for youth and can propel Pakistan towards greater economic achievements.

The conference featured keynote speakers, including Dr. Nora Colton from University College London (UCL), Dr. Geoffery Wood from Western University, Canada, and Dr. Adam Zaremba from Montpellier Business School, France, and Poznan University of Economics and Business, Poland.

Dr. Colton, in her keynote address, discussed the role of AI and innovation in transforming global healthcare. She stated, “Universal healthcare is impossible to achieve in our current model without innovation. And that’s where innovation and AI come in.” Dr. Colton highlighted challenges like workforce shortages, rising costs, and the impacts of pandemics and climate change, using UCL as a case study to stress the importance of systemic technology adoption in healthcare.

Dr. Wood explored the implications of AI, focusing on significant events, calibrating intelligence, the double-edged sword of technology, and the ethical responsibilities involved in AI development. He emphasized the benefits and unforeseen consequences of AI, urging a profound consideration of ethical factors.

The conference featured multiple panel discussions, keynote addresses, and parallel technical sessions over two days, delving into the intricacies of AI, innovation, and business disruption. The IBA-SBS International Conference 2024 successfully provided a platform for thought leaders and practitioners to engage in meaningful discussions on the future of AI in business.

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