Manipal, India, 16th of February, 2026 : MINDVerse Conclave 2026, organised by MINDLabs and the Manipal School of Commerce & Economics (MSCE) as part of the Manipal Entrepreneurship Summit (MES) 2026, in collaboration with the Innovation Centre, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, concluded on February 13, 2026. The conclave convened leading voices from academia, industry, and research for an impactful day of discussions exploring the evolution of human interaction with technology as interfaces become conversational, immersive, and progressively less visible. The event was held at Sir M V Seminar Hall, Academic Block 2, MIT, Manipal, and included seven expert-led discussions analysing the convergence of artificial intelligence, extended reality, neuromarketing, healthcare innovation, and human well-being.
The inauguration was graced by Prof. (Dr.) PLNG Rao, Former Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE, as the Chief Guest. The event was presided over by Dr Sandeep S. Shenoy, In-Charge Director, MSCE. The inaugural session was attended by Dr. Vikram Baliga, Associate Director, MSCE; Dr. Ambigai Rajendran, Assistant Director, MSCE; and Dr. Vadiraj Jagannath Rao, Associate Professor, MSCE & Assistant Director, Market Research, MAHE, Principal Investigator of MINDLabs. A compelling video presentation showcased MINDLabs’ vision and research roadmap, followed by presentations from PhD scholars Mr Likith KH on AR vs MR technologies and Ms Mishri Dave on neuromarketing and hyper-personalised AI recommendations.
The core of MINDVerse 2026 consisted of live, podcast-style conversations that examined critical questions: How do humans experience AI, not just use it? What happens when interaction becomes immersive, conversational, or invisible? How can technology be designed around human cognition, emotion, and trust?
1. AI, Immersive Tech & the Future of Media and Communication
Ms. Janice Goveas, Communications Lead and Communications Business Partner for Life Sciences at Merck Group, moderated by Mr. Sachin Chandra (Assistant Professor, MSCE), explored how AI is reshaping communication and inclusion. She highlighted AI’s transformative potential in accessibility: “AI has helped explain things better to neuro-divergent people… than a textbook which is designed only for neurotypical people.” She also reflected on the evolving nature of storytelling: “The storyteller has changed from somebody to anybody to nobody… we don’t know who is telling the story now, humans or AI.”
2. Human–AI Collaboration in Modern Cardiology
Dr Ganesh Paramasivam, Additional Professor of Cardiology at KMC, Manipal, moderated by Dr Ambigai Rajendran, emphasised the critical importance of trust and translation in clinical contexts. He noted: “In the world of doctors and patients, the doctor is the intermediary to explain AI to the patients.” His insights underscored the human element that remains essential even as AI augments medical practice.
3. AI, Neuromarketing & Human Decision-Making
Mr L. Janardhan Rajan, Partner for Advanced Analytics & AI at Tech Mahindra, moderated by Mr Likith KH, delved into perception and behavioural patterns. His thought-provoking insights included “You create your own reality” and the reminder that “we are called cognitive misers,” underscoring the importance of understanding human cognitive biases in designing effective AI systems.
4. Technology in Sports Performance, Management & Fan Experience
Dr. Sampath Dorairajan, Founder & Managing Director of Aegidius Consultants, moderated by Dr. Shilpa Gopal (Assistant Professor, MSCE), connected technology to decision-making in sports. His observation that “VAR is like a third referee” illustrated how technology augments human judgment in high-stakes environments.
5. Chatbots, AI-Optimised Applications & Conversational AI
Dr. Rohini R Rao, Associate Professor, MIT, Manipal, moderated by Ms. Chetana Maddodi (Assistant Professor, MSCE), offered engaging perspectives on chatbot evolution and human connection: “One chatbot is trying to learn from the mistakes of other chatbots,” and “Chatbots are giving you an alter ego of yourself… people relate to it because of the conversation tone.”
6. Integrating Yoga, Meditation & Virtual Reality for Well-being
Dr. Neetinakumar J Patil, Additional Professor & Head of the Division of Yoga at the Centre for Integrative Medicine & Research (CIMR), moderated by Dr. Vadiraj Jagannath Rao, expanded the conversation to wellness innovation. He stated, “Yoga is not restricted only to healthy people; VR can help patients in palliative care do yoga.” He also offered a broader reflection on design philosophy: “Comfort is confused with quality.”
7. XR, Brain–Computer Interaction & Human Cognition
Dr. Akash K Rao, Assistant Professor at MIT, Manipal, moderated by Ms. Mishri Dave, concluded the conversation series by examining the paradigm shift in human-computer interaction. He highlighted that “the world is moving from command to collaboration,” noting that “computers are not just obeying, they are also coming up with new problems and solutions to the same.”
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Rita Rani Chopra, Assistant Professor at Manipal School of Commerce and Economics (MSCE), Manipal
MINDVerse 2026 concluded on a positive note, expanding the conclave into a continuing forum that brings together academia, industry, and research to explore the future of human-technology interaction year after year.
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