Theme: Unlocking Human Potential
(11th – 13th December, 2025 )
The Leveraging Emerging Technologies and Analytics for Development (LEAD)-2025 is a premier international conference bringing together scholars, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore the transformative power of technology and analytics. This year’s theme, “Unlocking Human Potential,” highlights the role of emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, and digital transformation in enhancing human capabilities, fostering inclusive growth, and driving sustainable development. As businesses and societies navigate rapid technological changes, this conference aims to spark insightful discussions on harnessing these advancements for economic progress, social empowerment, and ethical innovation.
LEAD-2025 will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and paper presentations by leading experts from academia and industry. The conference will delve into critical topics such as AI-driven workforce augmentation, the ethical implications of automation, the intersection of human cognition and machine intelligence, and the use of analytics in public policy and business strategy. Special sessions will address the role of digital ecosystems in enhancing education, healthcare, financial inclusion, and governance. The event will provide actionable insights into leveraging technology to maximize human creativity, productivity, and well-being by fostering cross-disciplinary dialogues and real-world case studies.
Participants can engage in networking sessions, collaborative research discussions, and industry-led innovation showcases, ensuring meaningful ideas and best practices exchanges. The scenic setting of IIM Shillong, surrounded by the lush landscapes of Meghalaya, offers an inspiring environment for intellectual engagement and interdisciplinary learning. As a platform for thought leadership, LEAD-2025 is set to shape the future of how emerging technologies and data analytics can empower individuals, businesses, and societies to reach their full potential.
LEAD-2025 aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing critical global challenges through technology, data analytics, and innovation. By fostering interdisciplinary discussions, research collaborations, and real-world applications, the conference will contribute significantly to the following SDGs:
SDG 1: No Poverty
LEAD-2025 will explore how financial technology (fintech), AI-driven microfinance, and data-driven policymaking can enhance economic inclusion for marginalized communities. Sessions on poverty alleviation through digital transformation will highlight innovative solutions such as mobile banking for the unbanked, AI-based credit assessment models, and blockchain for transparent social welfare distribution. The conference will facilitate knowledge sharing on how analytics can optimize resource allocation and social impact measurement for poverty reduction initiatives.
SDG 4: Quality Education
By emphasizing AI-driven personalized learning, digital classrooms, and edtech innovations, the conference will showcase how technology can improve educational accessibility and learning outcomes. Key discussions will focus on using adaptive learning platforms, virtual reality (VR) in education, and AI-powered skill development programs to bridge the digital divide. Experts will also discuss strategies for upskilling and reskilling the workforce to prepare them for the future of work in an AI-driven world.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The conference will drive discussions on smart infrastructure, AI-powered industrial automation, and digital transformation strategies that foster sustainable economic growth. Case studies on Industry 4.0, IoT-enabled manufacturing, and blockchain applications in supply chain management will highlight how businesses can adopt emerging technologies to enhance efficiency and resilience. Startups and researchers will also be able to showcase innovative solutions that can drive sustainable industrialization.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
By addressing the role of technology in governance, cybersecurity, and ethical AI, LEAD-2025 will contribute to building transparent, inclusive, and accountable institutions. Sessions on data-driven policymaking, AI for legal decision-making, and blockchain for anti-corruption initiatives will explore how technology can promote justice and trust in public administration. Discussions on AI ethics, misinformation detection, and regulatory frameworks will also emphasize the need for responsible and fair AI governance.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
LEAD-2025 will be a global platform for collaboration among academia, industry, government, and international organizations. The conference will enable the co-creation of technology-driven solutions for sustainable development by fostering cross-sector dialogues, research partnerships, and industry-academia collaborations. Panel discussions on public-private partnerships (PPPs), AI ethics coalitions, and data-sharing initiatives will highlight how collective efforts can drive meaningful progress toward the SDGs.
The conference will feature keynote presentations, paper presentations, industry and academic panel discussions, pre-conference workshops, and tools/application demonstrations.
Researchers, academics, industry professionals, policymakers, students, and other stakeholders interested in the application of emerging technologies for unlocking human potential.
The conference provides a global platform for engaging in dialogues and deliberations. Papers are welcomed for the following topics (not limited to):
To be announced
Type of Submissions:
LEAD-2025 invites academicians, research scholars, and corporate/industry executives to submit Full paper (Research Paper (Qualitative / Quantitative/ Mixed Methods), Literature Review, Case Study, Conceptual paper, Tools demo paper). Authors wishing to submit multiple papers will have to do separately.
Author Guidelines:
All papers must be original and not previously submitted for any other conference or journal. Authors must follow the Springer Conference Format while preparing their manuscript. A Manuscript must have a minimum of 5000 words, excluding abstract and reference list. The similarity of the text must not exceed 10% (including similarity in literature review). Each manuscript must explicitly mention the manuscript’s contribution to the conference proceedings titled ‘Leveraging Emerging Technologies and Analytics for Unlocking Human Potential’.
Review Process:
Submitted papers will undergo a double-blind peer review process (no author name is to be included in manuscript) based on relevance, originality, significance, and clarity. Authors will be notified of revision/ acceptance/ rejection by the specified deadline.
Mode of presentation
LEAD-2025 will be conducted in hybrid mode. Indian authors will present papers physically at the IIM Shillong Umsawli campus. International participants may present their papers online. Each accepted paper should be presented in the conference for receiving the quality feedback.
Last date for full paper submission | 31st August, 2025 |
Final Decision on acceptance/rejection of full papers | On or before 30th September, 2025 |
Registration Begins | 1st October, 2025 |
Registration Closes | 30th November, 2025 |
Participants | Amount |
---|---|
Corporate/Industry | ₹8000 |
Academicians | ₹6000 |
Research Scholars | ₹4000 |
International (Developed Countries) | $100 |
International* (Least Developed Countries) | $25 |
* https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/least-developed-country-category/ldcs-at-a-glance.html
The Registration Fees include morning and afternoon Tea for two days, Lunch and dinner for two days, along with Conference Kit, but does not include accommodation. The participants will have to make their own arrangements for accommodation.
The institutes expressed interest in being part of LEAD-2025 are:
Publication of Conference Proceedings: LEAD-2024 Conference Proceedings (Vol-1) is available at: https://link.springer.com/book/9789819625475.
Communication of best papers to special issues: Discussions are in progress with journals for special issues or considering extended best papers of the conference for journals as per their format and rules. Information will be updated in website.
Conference Email: leadconf@iimshillong.ac.in
Conference Website: https://www.iimshillong.ac.in/events-and-conferences/conferences/lead-2025
Phone no.: 0364-2308027
Address: Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Umsawli, Shillong, 793018, Meghalaya, India
About IIM Shillong
IIM Shillong, the seventh IIM in India, has been set up with a vision to become an internationally recognized Management Institute with a Global outlook grounded in Indian values. From its inception, it has been constantly working towards a lofty mission to generate and disseminate knowledge in all aspects of management education with a focus on Sustainability and building innovative leadership.
Travelling to Shillong
Surrounded by verdant hills, Shillong offers a beautiful panoramic view of the graceful scenic countryside. Shillong can be reached by taxi from Guwahati airport/railway station, which is about120 km away. Guwahati airport is well connected to many major cities in India including Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Helicopter services are also available between Guwahati and Shillong. Shillong is connected to Assam, Manipur, Tripura, West Bengal and New Delhi through direct flights.