The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, in collaboration with its Technology Innovation Hub (TIH), will organize HIVE 3.0, an international conclave at the IIT Mandi campus from March 30 to April 1, 2026. The event enters its third edition and centers on the evolution of Human-Centered AI and Collaborative Intelligence, with emphasis on Multimodal AI research.
The conclave expects over 500 attendees, more than 100 startups, over 100 exhibits, and more than 50 speakers. It will highlight the shift in AI from processing isolated inputs—such as text in language models, images in vision models, or audio in speech models—to integrating multiple modalities including speech, vision, gestures, and sensor data. The event addresses the limitation that real-world information rarely arrives in separated streams and explores applications in sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, mobility, and education, where collaborative intelligence can improve decision-making and solutions.
Padma Bhushan awardee Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys, will serve as the chief guest and inaugurate the event.
Participants will include representatives from companies such as Amazon, Dolby, Bosch, Microsoft, Hitachi, HP, Honeywell, and Collins Aerospace, as well as researchers from institutions including Stanford University, University of Regensburg, University of Genoa, CNRS France, various IITs, and IISc Bengaluru.
The event recognizes Multimodal AI as a growing area in global AI discussions, given that human interactions involve simultaneous interpretation of multiple signals like visual, auditory, and contextual information.
Somjit Amrit, CEO of the Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Mandi, stated that investment in multimodal AI research at the TIH lays the foundation for fluidic humanoid robots that could redefine human-machine relationships.
HIVE 3.0 aims to facilitate stronger academia-industry collaboration and will cover themes including responsible AI, particularly its relevance in multimodal contexts, positioning the conclave as a platform for discussions on the future of Human-Centered AI.
