IIT Mandi is set to host HIVE 3.0, an international conclave organized in collaboration with its Technology Innovation Hub (TIH), aimed at advancing discussions around Human-Centered AI and Collaborative Intelligence, with a strong focus on Multimodal AI.
Scheduled from March 30 to April 1, 2026, at the IIT Mandi campus, the event is expected to bring together over 500 attendees, including 100+ startups, 100+ exhibits, and more than 50 speakers.
As IIT Mandi prepares for the third edition of HIVE, the conclave will highlight the evolution of artificial intelligence beyond text-based systems.
The focus on Multimodal AI reflects a growing shift toward technologies capable of processing diverse inputs such as speech, vision, gestures, and sensor data simultaneously.
Traditionally, AI systems have operated in silos – vision models analyzing images, speech models processing audio, and language models interpreting text – each excelling within its specific domain.
However, IIT Mandi emphasizes that real-world environments rarely present such isolated data streams. With increasing deployment of AI across sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, mobility, and education, the need for integrated systems is becoming more evident.
Also Read: Dai Nippon Printing Partners IIT Hyderabad, Sets Up Second Overseas R&D Facility in India
IIT Mandi: Global Thought Leaders to Strengthen Academia and Industry Collaboration
HIVE 3.0 will explore how collaborative intelligence can enable improved decision-making and deliver more effective real-world solutions.
The conclave at IIT Mandi will be inaugurated by Padma Bhushan awardee Kris Gopalakrishnan as the Chief Guest, marking a significant highlight of the event.
Reinforcing its global relevance, IIT Mandi will host participation from leading industry players including Amazon, Dolby, Bosch, Microsoft, Hitachi, HP, Honeywell, and Collins Aerospace.
The conclave will also feature researchers from prominent academic institutions such as Stanford University, the University of Regensburg, the University of Genoa, CNRS France, the IITs, and IISc Bengaluru.
Globally, Multimodal AI is increasingly being recognized as the next frontier in artificial intelligence. The approach aligns with the inherently multimodal nature of human interaction, where individuals interpret multiple signals simultaneously—what they see, hear, and contextual cues.
“By investing in multimodal AI research, the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIT Mandi, we are laying the foundation for fluidic humanoid robots (human-like robots) that would redefine human relationships with machines” said Somjit Amrit, CEO, Technology Innovation Hub, IIT Mandi.
Through HIVE 3.0, IIT Mandi aims to bring together global thought leaders to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry.
The conclave will also address key themes such as responsible AI and its growing importance in multimodal systems, positioning the event as a critical platform shaping the future of Human-Centred AI.
