In the Age of AI, Economics and Liberal Arts Remain Essential: Amish Mehta, MD & CEO, Crisil

Mumbai | August 26, 2025
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“Careers do not unfold in straight lines. Each experience is a step in the journey. Career is a marathon, not a 100-metre dash,” said Mr. Amish Mehta, Managing Director & CEO of Crisil Limited, as he addressed the Convocation 2025 of the Sarla Anil Modi School of Economics and the Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts, SVKM’s NMIMS (Deemed-to-be University), Mumbai. In his address, he urged students to focus on long-term growth, building depth and direction, and to embrace resilience, adaptability, and lifelong learning as key differentiators in a rapidly changing world.

Drawing from his own journey, he reminded students that careers are shaped by resilience, not titles. He also spoke about the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence, cautioning that technology cannot replace human judgment, ethics, and empathy, and highlighted India’s rise as a global growth engine.

Addressing students at the event, Mr. Amish Mehta emphasized, “In the Age of AI, both economics and liberal arts are not only future-proof, but essential. Economics provides a deep understanding of incentives, systems, and trade-offs, while liberal arts offer insights into people, cultures, and ideas. They equip you with the two qualities that AI cannot replicate: context and conscience. As we navigate an increasingly AI-driven world, these skills will become the hallmark of a well-rounded and effective individual, making them no longer optional, but essential.”

The convocation ceremony at the NMIMS Mumbai campus was marked by conferral of degrees upon students from the Master of Science (Economics) and Bachelor of Science (Economics) programmes of the Sarla Anil Modi School of Economics, as well as the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Liberal Arts programme of the Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Amita Vaidya, Director, Sarla Anil Modi School of Economics said, “Economics is about understanding people, choices, and consequences. Students as you graduate today, may you carry forward the spirit of inquiry, responsibility, and excellence into every path you choose”

Dr. Vijay Negi, Dean, Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts, added, “A liberal arts education does not give you ready-made formulas. It gives you the courage to think, to imagine, to disagree, and to rebuild. That courage will matter more than ever in the world you are entering.”

The event concluded with the Graduate and Sustainability Oath, reaffirming the students’ commitment to ethical and socially responsible practice in their chosen fields.

About NMIMS Sarla Anil Modi School of Economics

Established in 2010 in Mumbai, the Sarla Anil Modi School of Economics at SVKM’s NMIMS has rapidly gained recognition for its strong corporate connections, industry exposure, and academically robust curriculum. The flagship B.Sc. Economics programme, launched the same year, has redefined undergraduate economics education in India through innovative pedagogy and distinctive course content, preparing graduates for diverse career paths, entrepreneurship, and advanced global studies.

In 2016, the School introduced the M.Sc. Economics programme – a rigorous two-year course with a strong emphasis on application-based learning, preparing students for both professional roles and research-driven careers. Strengthening its global academic engagement, the School offers a Dual Degree programme in collaboration with Virginia Tech, USA, enabling students to earn an M.A. (Economics) from Virginia Tech alongside the M.Sc. Economics from NMIMS.

The School’s excellence has been recognised nationally, ranking 1st in the “Best Emerging Bachelor of Arts (BA) Colleges” category (India Today Rankings 2025), 2nd in the “Best Emerging Arts College in India” among colleges established after 2000 (MDRA India Today 2024), 2nd in the “Top 10 Emerging B.A. Colleges” set up since 2010, and 3rd among those established after 2000 (India Today-MDRA 2023).

Website- https://economics.nmims.edu/
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/samsoe/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/NMIMS.Economics
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/nmims_economics/

About NMIMS Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts

The Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts at SVKM’s NMIMS, established in 2016 in Mumbai, offers a contemporary approach to higher education that blends academic excellence with personal and professional growth. The school provides a diverse academic environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and cross-disciplinary learning.

JDSOLA offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including the B.A. (Hons.) in Liberal Arts, B.Sc. in Applied Psychology, and M.Sc. in Applied Psychology. With a curriculum designed to develop adaptable and well-rounded graduates, the school equips students with the knowledge and skills to excel in multiple career pathways and contribute meaningfully to society.

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