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JRD Tata Foundation for Business Ethics

XLRI, Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur

All-India Essay & Infographics Competition 2026

Theme: “Our Age of Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Collective Responsibilities of Society and Business”

The Theme Elaborated

Artificial Intelligence is no longer confined to science fiction or research laboratories. It shapes how we live, work, learn, and interact. AI systems decide who gets hired, who receives a loan, which news stories we see, and even how we are monitored in public spaces. The efficiency of algorithms promises progress, yet their hidden biases, lack of transparency, and capacity for surveillance raise profound ethical questions.

Businesses are at the forefront of AI deployment. From human resources to supply chain optimisation and customer service, organisations increasingly rely on machine learning, predictive analytics, and generative technologies. But alongside innovation comes responsibility. If left unchecked, AI can reinforce systemic discrimination, undermine privacy, and treat human beings as data points rather than persons with dignity.

Society as a whole also bears responsibility. Regulators, educators, civil society groups, and individuals cannot remain passive. Choices about how AI is designed, trained, and implemented reflect values—whether inclusivity, fairness, accountability, or profit maximisation at any cost. As such, the debate about AI is not merely technical but profoundly moral.

Why This Theme Matters

• Bias and Inequity: Algorithms trained on historical data risk amplifying existing inequalities in hiring, lending, or policing. A recruitment tool, for example, can inadvertently disadvantage women or marginalized communities.

• Transparency and Accountability: AI decisions are often described as “black boxes.” Businesses must be accountable not only for outcomes but also for how those outcomes are produced.

• Privacy and Surveillance: From facial recognition in public spaces to predictive policing, society must decide what trade-offs between safety and liberty are acceptable.

• Corporate Responsibility: Companies cannot outsource ethics to engineers or regulators. They must embed ethical reflection into product design, governance, and board-level oversight.

• Collective Responsibility: Governments must legislate wisely, educators must equip future leaders, and citizens must remain vigilant and informed. No single actor can ensure ethical AI alone.

• Existential Threat: Some important people claim that AI can be an existential threat to humanity.  While offering us plenty of opportunities, if not handedl carefully and responsibily (with ethics), it can lead to our own destruction.

A Framework for Reflection

This competition invites participants to think critically and creatively about AI’s future. Essays and infographics should:

1. Diagnose the Problem: Identify specific ways in which AI systems can drift into bias, inequity, or unethical outcomes.

2. Interrogate Responsibility: Explore the obligations of businesses, governments, and society at large in guiding AI’s trajectory.

3. Propose Guardrails: Suggest concrete frameworks—ethical principles, regulatory guidelines, or business practices—that can safeguard fairness and accountability.

4. Envision the Future: Imagine models of “responsible AI” that respect human dignity while enabling innovation and growth.

Why Participate?

The theme speaks to a decisive moment in history. We are the first generation to live fully in the “AI age,” yet we may also be the last to shape its foundations. How we respond will determine whether AI becomes a tool for human flourishing or a force of alienation and control.

This competition challenges young thinkers, business leaders, and engaged citizens to contribute to a national dialogue on ethics in technology. By writing essays or creating infographics, participants join a collective effort to ensure that Artificial Intelligence serves humanity, rather than diminishes it.

Would you like me to integrate this elaborated theme directly into the structured competition announcement I drafted earlier (with submission guidelines, prizes, etc.), so the webpage feels seamless? That way, the site will begin with this expanded theme statement before moving into logistics.

Competition Categories

• Essay Writing Competition (2,500–3,500 words)

• Infographics/Poster Competition (visual entries with short explanatory note, max 200 words)

Participants may choose either format, or submit to both.

Submission Guidelines

For Essays

• Word Limit: 2,500–3,500 words (excluding references)

• Citation Style: APA, with clear references; plagiarism will result in disqualification

• Focus: Choose a specific AI context (e.g., hiring algorithms, facial recognition, financial scoring). Diagnose the ethical challenges, examine responsibilities, and propose remedies.
  
  

For Infographics/Posters

• Must be original and visually clear

• Can use charts, illustrations, or conceptual diagrams

• Should address one key theme (e.g., AI bias, privacy, responsibility frameworks)

• Brief explanatory note (max 200 words) to accompany the visual

Important Dates

Announcement of Competition

Sept 15, 2025

Submission Deadline

July 10, 2026

Evaluation Period

July 11 – 25, 2026

Results Announced & Prizes Awarded

July 31, 2026

Prizes

Essay Competition

• 1st Prize: ₹20,000

• 2nd Prize: ₹15,000

• 3rd Prize: ₹10,000

• Consolation Prizes: 10 × ₹2,000 each
  
  

Infographics/Poster Competition

• 1st Prize: ₹15,000

• 2nd Prize: ₹10,000

• 3rd Prize: ₹7,000

• Consolation Prizes: 10 × ₹1,000 each

Additional Perks

• Certificates: All prize winners and shortlisted entries will receive digital certificates of recognition.

• Publication: Select essays will be published in an edited volume (with ISBN/DOI), giving visibility to young thinkers.

• Showcasing Visuals: Winning infographics/posters will be exhibited on XLRI’s campus and official platforms.

• Networking Opportunity: Winners may be invited for a special ethics dialogue workshop hosted by XLRI faculty and industry leaders.

How to Participate

• You will be asked the following information in the submission link.

  • Full Name

  • Academic/Professional Affiliation

  • Short Bio (100 words)

  • Files to be uploaded

  • Contact details

  • Comments

• The link for submission is here

Contact

For queries, please write to: jrdtf@xlri.ac.in

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