MAM
AI not a threat to human touch in the events industry
Mumbai: In a landscape increasingly shaped by automation and artificial intelligence (AI), remarkable opportunities emerge for industries. While reports indicate that AI could displace up to 23 per cent of jobs in India by 2040 and estimate a range of 9 per cent to 26 per cent job losses by 2030, particularly in roles susceptible to automation, NeoNiche founder and CEO Prateek N Kumar Integrated Solutions, digital-first, full services experiential-marketing company says that the events industry is poised to harness AI as a powerful ally rather than a threat.
The essence of events lies in creating memorable experiences, fundamentally requiring human creativity, emotional connection, and logistics management. These irreplaceable qualities manifest through personalization and empathy, which AI cannot replicate. Whether orchestrating a wedding, corporate gathering, or private celebration, the nuances of human relationships and the art of hospitality remain irreplaceable assets.
The Human touch shines through creative expertise and innovation, be it delivering immersive experiences, or continually adapting to trends as per client preferences. This dynamic creativity cannot be programmed or emulated by AI, underscoring the necessity of human skills in these creative processes.
Moreover, the unpredictable nature of events often presents unforeseen challenges requiring quick decision-making and adept problem-solving skills. The experience and intuition of event professionals are central to navigating complex logistics, coordinating multiple vendors, and managing last-minute hurdles. While AI can support these functions, its limitations underscore the need for human oversight.
“In an era where automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping industries, the events sector stands as a testament to the irreplaceable value of human touch. While reports indicate a substantial displacement of jobs due to AI, our industry thrives on the unique blend of creativity, personal connections, and cultural sensitivity – elements that machines cannot replicate. Embracing AI as a powerful ally allows us to streamline operations, enhance customer insights, and optimize resources without undermining the essential human experiences that define remarkable events”, said NeoNiche Integrated Solutions founder and CEO Prateek N Kumar.
“By integrating AI thoughtfully, we can create tailored, immersive experiences that resonate deeply with our clients while ensuring our teams can focus on the strategic, creative aspects of event management. In this fast-evolving landscape, leveraging AI isn’t just an option – it’s crucial for maintaining competitive advantage and delivering unforgettable experiences.”, he added.
Rather than positioning AI as a rival, the events sector can leverage its capabilities for enhanced results. AI brings transformative benefits, such as streamlining operations by automating administrative tasks, enhancing customer insights through data analytics, personalizing marketing strategies to engage audiences effectively, and optimizing supply chain management to ensure efficiency.
Digital
Content India 2026 opens with a copro pitch, a spice evangelist and a £10,000 prize for Indian storytelling
Dish TV and C21Media’s three-day summit puts seven ambitious projects before an international jury, and two walk away with serious development money
MUMBAI: India’s content industry gathered in Mumbai this March for Content India 2026, a three-day summit organised by Dish TV in partnership with C21Media, and it wasted no time making a statement. The event opened with a Copro Pitch that put seven scripted and unscripted television concepts before an international panel of judges, and by the end of it, two projects had walked away with £10,000 each in marketing prize money from C21Media to support development and international promotion.
The jury, comprising Frank Spotnitz, Fiona Campbell, Rashmi Bajpai, Bal Samra and Rachel Glaister, evaluated a shortlist that ranged from a dark Mumbai comedy-drama about mental health (Dirty Minds, created by Sundar Aaron) to a Delhi coming-of-age mystery (Djinn Patrol, by Neha Sharma and Kilian Irwin), a techno-thriller about a teenage gaming prodigy (Kanpur X Satori, by Suchita Bhatia), an investigative crime drama blending mythology and modern thriller (The Age of Kali, by Shivani Bhatija), a documentary on India’s spice heritage (The Masala Quest, hosted by Sarina Kamini), a documentary on competitive gaming (Respawn: India’s Esports Revolution, by George Mangala Thomas and Sangram Mawari), and a reality-horror competition merging gaming and immersive fear (Scary Goose, by Samar Iqbal).
The session was hosted by Mayank Shekhar.
The two winners were Djinn Patrol, backed by Miura Kite, formerly of Participant Media and known for Chinatown and Keep Sweet: Pray & Obey, with Jaya Entertainment, producers of Real Kashmir Football Club, also attached; and The Masala Quest, created and hosted by Sarina Kamini, an Indian-Australian cook, author and self-described “spice evangelist.”
The summit also unveiled the Content India Trends Report, whose findings made for bracing reading. Daoud Jackson, senior analyst at OMDIA, set the tone: “By 2030, online video in India will nearly double the revenue of traditional TV, becoming the main driver of growth.” He noted that in 2025, India produced a quarter of all YouTube videos globally, overtaking the United States, while Indians collectively spend 117 years daily on YouTube and 72 years on Instagram. Traditional subscription TV is declining as free TV and connected TV gain ground, forcing broadcasters to innovate. “AI-generated content is just 2 per cent of engagement,” Jackson added, “highlighting the dominance of high-quality human content. The key for Indian media companies is scaling while monetising effectively from day one.”
Hannah Walsh, principal analyst at Ampere Analysis, added hard numbers to the picture. India produced over 24,000 titles in January 2026 alone, with 19,000 available internationally. The country now accounts for 12 per cent of Asia-Pacific content spend, up from 8 per cent in 2021, outpacing both Japan and China. Key exporters include JioStar, Zee Entertainment, Sony India, Amazon and Netflix, delivering over 7,500 Indian-produced titles abroad each year. The top importing markets are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, the United States and the Philippines. Scripted content dominates globally at 88 per cent, with crime dramas and children’s and family titles performing particularly strongly.
Manoj Dobhal, chief executive and executive director of Dish TV India, framed the summit’s ambition squarely. “Stories don’t need translation. They need a platform, discovery, and reach, local or global,” he said. “India produces more movies than any country, our streaming platforms compete globally, and our tech and creators win international awards. Yet fragmentation slows growth. Producers, platforms, and tech move in different lanes. We need shared spaces, collaboration, and an ecosystem where ideas, technology, and people meet. That is why we built Content India.”
The data, the pitches and the prize money all pointed to the same conclusion: India is not waiting for the world to discover its stories. It is building the infrastructure to sell them.
