Our Bureau
Long Beach, CA
The IIT2026 Global Conference convened leading thinkers, innovators, and industry pioneers from the U.S. and India from April 22–25 at the Long Beach Convention Center, creating a dynamic platform for dialogue at the intersection of technology, leadership, and human potential.
A highlight of this year’s conference was the participation of the Isha Foundation and Sadhguru, who was prominently featured across multiple sessions. The program included immersive mornings of yoga and meditation, and the conference was kicked off with the opening keynote address entitled “Technologies for Wellbeing: Tapping the Inner Potential.”
Sadhguru explored the critical balance between technological advancement and inner well-being. “Today, human beings have the necessary capabilities, resources, and technologies to address every issue on the planet. The only thing that’s missing is inclusive consciousness,” he said.
Speaking to a global audience in California, Sadhguru urged listeners to “see India as a civilisation, not a nation,” reframing the way the country is understood in both historical and contemporary terms.
One of the defining features of the Indian civilisation, highlighted in his address, was its dual pursuit: the exploration of both the external world and the inner self.
India’s intellectual history includes advances in mathematics, astronomy and medicine—but these were often accompanied by equally rigorous inquiries into consciousness, ethics and human experience. This integration of scientific curiosity with spiritual exploration remains a distinctive hallmark for India as a civilisation.
Such a worldview contrasts with modern technological societies that prioritise external progress, often at the cost of inner balance. Sadhguru argued that future challenges—especially in an era shaped by artificial intelligence—may require revisiting this balance.
His message resonated deeply in a time when society is empowered by technology like never before, while grappling with wellness, longevity, and meaningful human connection. “If we want humanity to enjoy the fruits of science and technology rather than using them to destroy the entire planet, the most important thing that needs to be done right now is raising human consciousness,” he said.
The conference hosted by IIT, featured distinguished leaders from some of the world’s most influential organizations, including NVIDIA, OpenAI, Microsoft, Boeing, and CVS Health.
