Pooja G. Ahire honoured as a ‘Pune Icon 2026’ for contribution to AI-led Innovation,Education and Youth Empowerment

Pooja G. Ahire was honoured as ‘Pune Icon 2026’ at NewsDotz Conclave 2026 for her contribution to AI-led innovation, education and youth empowerment.

Pune: Pooja G. Ahire, Founder and Managing Director of MindLyft AI and Vice President of the
Kalam Centre, New Delhi, was honoured as a ‘Pune Icon 2026’ at the NewsDotz Conclave 2026,
organised recently at Sheraton Grand Pune, Bund Garden, in recognition of her outstanding
contribution to AI-led innovation, education and youth empowerment, and for leveraging Artificial
Intelligence to create impactful solutions across government, education and public policy.

The NewsDotz Conclave 2026, centred on the theme ‘Pune Rising’, brought together political
leadership, the administration, industry, media and citizens to discuss Pune’s rapid growth and
transformation. With the city developing at an unprecedented pace, the conclave emphasised
the importance of collective dialogue and participation in shaping Pune’s future.

Among the prominent participants were Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar (IPS), Manoj
Patil (IPS), Shrinath Bhimale, Chairman of the Standing Committee, Prajit Nair, Additional PMC
Commissioner, senior journalist Prashant Aher, Aditya Javdekar, CEO of VJ Developers, architect
Hrishikesh Kulkarni, Vimalendra Singh, CBO of Mahindra Lifespaces, Harish ShroƯ, Director of
Nyati Group, and Bidisha of VTP Realty.

Ahire works at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, education, public policy and youth
empowerment. Her initiatives across Maharashtra, Sikkim, Delhi and Odisha have impacted
more than 15,000 students through AI labs and teacher-training initiatives.

Under her leadership, 300 international delegates and experts were trained in Artificial
Intelligence for biodiversity at a Government of Telangana conference. She has also led AI
programmes for public administration, disaster management and the Indian Army, working
alongside leading universities and government departments.

The recognition as a ‘Pune Icon 2026’ acknowledges Ahire’s contribution to AI-led innovation and
her commitment to using technology to strengthen education, public policy and youth
empowerment.

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