International Technology and Societal Impact Conference (TaSIC) 2025
February 21, 2025
The inaugural edition of the International Technology and Societal Impact Conference (TaSIC) 2025, an initiative by SPJIMR WISE Tech, featured a series of comprehensive sessions designed to engage stakeholders across academia, industry, and policy sectors. Focusing on responsible and inclusive innovation, the conference introduced new opportunities for management students to contribute to critical discussions—a unique feature for academic conferences.
The conference aimed to redefine the conversation around technology’s broader impact by fostering dialogue on sustainable finance, responsible technology, and ethical consumer behaviour. Leading scholars, Chief Innovation Officers, CSR experts, public policy professionals, and student innovators participated in engaging discussions, exploring the importance of assessing the broader societal implications of technological advancements before implementation.
It is our hope that world-class research will emerge from the intersection of innovation and societal impact. We want our students to graduate with an intellectual and ethical spark—a point of view that truly matters. Conferences like TaSIC are essential in integrating these dimensions to promote socially conscious innovations. – Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean of SPJIMR
In a landscape crowded with conferences, we aimed to establish South Asia’s definitive platform where deep thinkers, industry leaders, and scholars could converge to explore how innovations can positively impact both the planet and its people.
– Manoj Mohan, Executive Director of SPJIMR WISE Tech
The plenary sessions featured a series of integrative talks addressing pressing issues:
Integrative talk 1: The future of AI and its societal impact
Professor Ramayya Krishnan, Dean of Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University, explored the intersection of AI, policy, and governance. He raised important questions about balancing innovation with responsible AI deployment, touching on concerns such as bias, privacy, and security. Key insights included:
Should the industry prioritise speed and rectify issues later, or address risks beforehand?
How can we support workers and companies during AI-driven changes?
What investments are necessary in AI safety, open data, and talent development?
Integrative talk 2: Consumer wisdom theory and measurement
Professor Michael Luchs, J.S. Mack Professor and Chair of the Marketing Department at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business, introduced the Consumer Wisdom Scale, a framework designed to guide informed, responsible, and sustainable consumption. He also discussed policy implications such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and incentives for fostering sustainable consumer behaviour. Key dimensions included:
Responsibility Aligning consumer spending with available resources.
Reasoning Seeking and applying relevant information in decision-making.
Sustainability Integrating pro-social and environmental factors into purchasing decisions.
Flexibility Exploring alternatives such as renting and sharing.
Integrative talk 3: Rethinking technology for a more equitable future
Professor Youngjin Yoo, Associate Dean for Research and Faculty at the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, examined how technology shapes daily life and the ethical choices behind its design. He highlighted key insights, such as:
Technology development does not always lead to shared prosperity.
Design choices are never value-neutral.
Social and institutional frameworks are critical for responsible digital innovation.
Integrative talk 4: Redefining finance for sustainable futures
Professor João Pinto, Dean of Católica Porto Business School, discussed the growing importance of sustainable finance in shaping long-term economic value. He presented insights on:
The challenges faced by traditional finance, including misaligned incentives and market limitations.
The role of sustainable finance in driving responsible investment by integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations.
The cost-benefit dilemmas posed by AI in the tech sector, including issues such as widening inequalities and ecological impact, contrasted with its potential for enhanced sustainability and productivity.
The distinction between financial value, which is driven by cash flows, and economic value, which includes broader externalities.
TaSIC 2025 Academic Track
TaSIC 2025 Academic Track featured nearly 60 paper submissions, with national and international scholars presenting research on themes such as the intersection of technology with consumers, policy, firms, and communities. Participants praised the interdisciplinary nature of the discussions, and the high quality of feedback received.
Best Paper Award
Dr. Himanshu Warudkar and Dr. Arvind Gupta for their paper ‘Towards a Model of Trust in Digital Public Infrastructure’.
Best Poster Award
Shreya Singireddy for ‘Reimagining Creativity: AI Integration and IP Complexities at Anantha Studios – A Teaching Case’.
Most Innovative Paper Award
Prof. Aakash Kamble for ‘The Curator’s Shadow: Understanding Consumer Well-Being in Algorithm-Driven Social Media’.
Best Doctoral Award
Parth Salunke, Tatsita Mishra, Varsha Jain, and Jacqueline Eastman for ‘Uncovering the Effectiveness of Social Media Influencers’ Endorsements on Consumer Attitude and Behaviour: An Evidence-Based Approach’.
The ‘Meet the Editors’ panel, moderated by Prof. Snehal Shah, provided invaluable insights into the research publication process, offering advice on navigating desk rejections, crafting impactful submissions, and learning from setbacks.
TaSIC 2025 Wise Innovation Awards
The Wise Innovation Awards at TaSIC 2025 recognised groundbreaking innovations that exemplify responsible, and sustainable technology adoption. The awards celebrated individuals and organisations that demonstrated impactful solutions addressing societal challenges through innovative technology. Winners showcased pioneering ideas that blend business viability with social responsibility, inspiring a future of wise and inclusive innovation.
1st prize – ₹75,000: Aditya Nayak – Pakka’s Home Compostable Flexible Packaging
2nd prize – ₹50,000: Jash Shah and Vansh Sakariya – Uravu Labs’ Water-from-Air Technology
3rd prize – ₹25,000 (joint winners): Medha Kriti Gupta and Vaibhav Raghavan – Cresa GreenTech’s Hot Water-Soluble Sanitary Pads
3rd prize – ₹25,000 (joint winners): Jinal Jain and Ranjan Tripathi – Alt Carbon’s Rapid Enhanced Rock Weathering
3rd prize – ₹25,000 (joint winners): Manish Banerjee and Pritish Wadhwa – SHIVAY’s LN2-Based Refrigerated Transport System
TaSIC 2025 Student Ideathon – AI for a Green Bharat
The Student Ideathon brought together bright young minds to tackle sustainability challenges using AI-driven solutions. Participants presented creative, tech-enabled ideas aimed at fostering environmental sustainability. The event culminated in an exciting pitch session where the most promising ideas were awarded for their potential to drive meaningful impact toward a greener Bharat.
1st prize – Sarika, IIM Shillong PGP’26 for Smart waste systems: Paving the way for a cleaner Bharat with AI.
2nd prize – Neha Sarbadhikary, IIM Shillong PGP’25 for Revolutionizing agricultural waste management.
3rd prize – Ankur Jha, Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi for Industry 5.0: The future of smart and sustainable operations (India-centric case study).
TaSIC 2025 Day 2: Sustainability attitudes in personal consumption patterns
On February 22, 2025, TaSIC hosted a closed-door discussion attended by 50 CXOs from various industries at the Taj, Santacruz. As part of the lead-up to the conference, SPJIMR commissioned an extensive consumer survey involving 2,200 respondents from the SEC A category across 10 major cities. This top-tier survey focused on the personal consumption habits of individuals regarding electronic goods, personal care products, and FMCG items.
The discussion centred on the key findings from the survey, providing valuable insights for businesses. While there is evident consumer interest in sustainability, the findings highlight challenges related to product availability, corporate efforts, and regional variations in consumers’ willingness to pay a premium.
TaSIC 2025 successfully addressed a significant gap in academic discourse by examining the impact of technology through the lens of ‘wise innovation,’ which is mindful and inclusive of society’s different needs. SPJIMR remains committed to expanding the influence of TaSIC in future editions.