ATLAS SkillTech University’s Round Table Conclave on Marketing in the AI World: Enriching Learning Experience for Students

ATLAS SkillTech University, known for emphasis on active industry partnerships and multidisciplinary education, recently hosted an enlightening round table conclave focused on the intersection of marketing and artificial intelligence (AI). The conclave brought together esteemed industry panelists and experts to discuss the dynamic role of AI in shaping modern marketing strategies. The event was graced by prominent personalities from various sectors, including marketing, technology, and academia.

Panelists at the Forefront

• Sudeep Kulkarni, Vice President & Head Marketing Brand & Digital, Alliance Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd.
• Raghavendra Rao, Managing Director, Global Marketing + Communication Lead
• Anagha Dandekar, Head of Content- Marketing, Kotak Securities
• Abhinay Bhasin, Head of Product Marketing, ProfitWheel

Dr. Indu Shahani, Founding President & Chancellor of ATLAS SkillTech University, set the tone for the event with her illuminating welcome address, highlighting the University’s mission and the confluence of design, technology, and management it fosters.

Dr. Indu Shahani: Nurturing a Confluence of Design, Technology and Management

“Few experiences are as revitalising as engaging with young learners who are poised to shape the future of our nation.”
– Dr. Indu Shahani

In the welcome speech Dr. Indu Shahani, Founding President & Chancellor of ATLAS SkillTech University, articulated the University’s commitment to fostering a dynamic convergence of design, technology and management through a multidisciplinary approach. Dr. Shahani extended an open invitation to industry experts to engage with the University, acknowledging the pivotal role of young learners in shaping the nation’s future.

Let’s explore the insights shared by the esteemed panelists and their thoughts on the convergence of AI and marketing.

Sudeep Kulkarni: Revolutionising Insurance Brokerage Marketing

“AI tools are not designed to replace your jobs but to enhance and elevate your capabilities.”

–  Sudeep Kulkarni

Sudeep Kulkarni, Vice President & Head Marketing Brand & Digital at Alliance Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd., shared his insights on leveraging AI and machine learning in the insurance industry. He highlighted the importance of addressing customer pain points through predictive analysis. Sudeep stressed that AI and ML are not merely tools for selling insurance; they empower customers with transparency and convenience. One notable example he provided was the launch of a corporate insuretech platform that simplifies the insurance buying process for busy corporate employees. This platform employs AI-driven predictive analysis to recommend policies based on individual preferences and needs, ensuring a transparent and hassle-free experience.

Raghavendra Rao: AI as a Catalyst for Creativity

“Never let data get in the way of a good story.”
–  Raghavendra Rao

Raghavendra Rao, Managing Director and Global Marketing + Communication Lead, offered his perspective on the synergy between AI and creativity. Drawing from his experience in PR and advertising, he highlighted how AI accelerates the creative process by generating multiple options in seconds, thereby saving valuable time. While AI excels in data-driven insights, Raghavendra emphasised that it lacks the emotional quotient, passion and cultural understanding inherent to human-driven creativity. He illustrated this with an example of AI-enhanced sound experiences for better sleep. Furthermore, Raghavendra underlined the significance of storytelling, cautioning against letting data overshadow the narrative.

Anagha Dandekar: Humanity at the Core of AI Marketing

“Amidst our shift from analog to digital and onward to AI, it remains crucial to recognise that the ultimate focus is on humans. The essence of every endeavor should revolve around the human element.”

– Anagha Dandekar

Anagha Dandekar, Head of Content-Marketing at Kotak Securities, shared a human-centric perspective on AI in marketing. She stressed that AI is a problem-solving tool and despite its advancements, the ultimate audience remains human beings. Anagha urged marketers to remember that AI, whether in the form of bots or hologram projections, serves individuals with “flesh and bones.” She highlighted the need to retain the human touch in marketing strategies, ensuring that AI-driven solutions resonate with the genuine needs and emotions of customers.

Abhinay Bhasin: Augmenting Marketing with Predictive Analysis

“AI serves as the Iron Man suit, enabling us to mend our efforts and proceed with resilience.”

– Abhinay Bhasin

Abhinay Bhasin, Head of Product Marketing at ProfitWheel, provided insights into the symbiotic relationship between humans and AI. He emphasised that AI serves as an “Iron Man suit,” enhancing human efforts rather than replacing them. Abhinay discussed how AI-driven predictive analysis can be leveraged to create algorithms that segment and target audiences effectively. While AI automates processes and enhances efficiency, Abhinay underscored the importance of human intervention to fine-tune and personalise these algorithms to cater to unique marketing goals.

Rapid Fire Round Questions

Q: How will you describe different Tech tools that have simplified things for you?

Anagha: Enabler

Sudeep: Accelerator

Abhinay: Augmenter

Raghavendra: Challenging

Q: What attributes do students need to have in order to secure jobs?

Anagha: Good reading habits, clarity of thoughts about why you want to join a particular sector/company, driven from the core.

Sudeep: Attitude to learn, collaborate and enhance your knowledge and skills. Everything else can be taught.

Abhinay: Being a problem solver, learner, and perseverance.

Raghavendra: Ability to navigate and know the ropes of the trade.

Questions from Students

Q: Aryan Zaveri: Considering Accenture’s global presence, how do you adapt different marketing strategies and still remain true to or maintain your brand identity?

Raghavendra: With our diverse range of services, we tailor strategies according to customer needs while upholding our unified brand identity at the top level.

Q: Manasi: Your company provides multiple insurance packages, but what if customers tend to choose only cheaper options?

Sudeep: That’s where AI shines. Our predictive model analyzes individual needs based on their inputs. Take car insurance for example: AI considers factors like car age, usage, and more to recommend tailored options. It’s not always about the cheapest; AI ensures the most suitable coverage based on the customer’s unique circumstances.

Insights into the Future

The conclave’s panelists collectively showcased the transformative potential of AI in marketing. From insurance to creative endeavors, AI-driven solutions are enhancing efficiency, personalisation, and problem-solving. However, the consensus remains that while AI augments marketing strategies, it cannot replace the intricate nuances of human emotions, cultural understanding and storytelling. The event underscored the imperative of embracing AI as a tool to amplify human ingenuity and agility, thereby shaping the future of marketing in the AI world.

The round table conclave organised by ATLAS SkillTech University was not only a platform for insightful discussions and a great learning experience for students but also a testament to the institution’s commitment to bridging academia and industry for holistic learning and innovation.