The speaker shared how Indian universities today are standing at a defining crossroads as artificial intelligence reshapes the world. Having grown up witnessing the strength of India’s educational traditions alongside the challenges of rigid curricula, the speaker recognized both the power and the gaps in the current system. Encounters with technology and innovation revealed how classrooms could shift from one-size-fits-all models to personalized learning spaces, how rigid subjects could give way to interdisciplinary discovery, and how AI integration could transform the way knowledge is imparted. These experiences shaped the speaker’s belief that universities must evolve from being knowledge providers to becoming capability incubators. The talk reflects on how the fusion of tradition and technology can propel higher education into a future that is agile, inclusive, and visionary and why preparing students not just for jobs, but for a world that does not yet exist, is now the defining responsibility of Indian higher education. Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman, an accomplished academician and seasoned professional, is the Vice Chancellor at Symbiosis International (Deemed University).Dr. Raman's contributions extend beyond the classroom, as he has been instrumental in fostering international collaborations with universities in Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States. His prolific research in Information Systems, IT Strategy, Entrepreneurship, AI, Big Data, has earned him recognition with national and international academia. Aston University's Aston India Centre for Applied Research, College of Business and Social Sciences, has appointed Dr. Raman as an Honorary Professor for a three-year term ending in 2027. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx