In a groundbreaking move, the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), in partnership with the International Hospitality Council (IHC), has launched the Global Knowledge Sharing Declaration on AI in Hospitality. This initiative unites 50 countries in a joint effort to incorporate artificial intelligence into hospitality education and industry practices.
Led by Dr. Suborno Bose, the visionary Founder of IIHM and CEO of IHC UK, the declaration sets a foundation for global collaboration among 50 hospitality colleges. It establishes a platform for exchanging AI-driven insights, best practices, and innovations within the industry.
Announced during the closing ceremony of the 11th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2025—the world’s largest culinary competition for young chefs—this initiative underscores the pressing need to adopt AI, which Dr. Bose calls “Advanced Intelligence.”
He stated at the event, “The Global Knowledge Sharing Declaration is a comprehensive framework to integrate AI into hospitality education worldwide. It prioritizes inclusivity, human-centric values, and sustainability, ensuring that Technology enhances rather than replaces the essence of hospitality. AI is not artificial—it is ‘Advanced Intelligence’.”
This initiative encourages hospitality colleges across 50 participating countries to adopt and enhance AI-driven teaching methods and campus operations. IIHM will offer strategic leadership to facilitate effective implementation.
IIHM’s Knowledge Sharing Declaration is a key step in future-proofing the hospitality industry by integrating AI to enhance efficiency and guest experiences. The initiative promotes curriculum integration, partnerships with governments and NGOs to bridge the digital divide, and AI-driven solutions for sustainable tourism.
At the 11th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2025 opening in Goa, Dr. SubornoBose launched Harmonizing Human Touch and AI in Tourism & Hospitality, a groundbreaking book exploring AI’s role in hospitality. It highlights real-world applications, from predictive maintenance to sentiment analysis and zero-waste initiatives, showcasing AI’s impact on guest satisfaction and operational excellence.
“This book serves as a vital resource for students, educators, and industry professionals, demonstrating how AI can complement, rather than replace, the human essence of hospitality,” said Dr. Bose.
On February 2, 2025, IIHM hosted a groundbreaking AI Global Roundtable, bringing together top hospitality experts and young chefs from 50 countries. Chaired by Dr. SubornoBose, the panel featured:
• Professor David Foskett (OBE) – Chairman, International Hospitality Council
• Chef Neil Rippington – Global Director, IIHM & Culinary Psychology Instructor, Harvard University
• Chef Sarah Hartnett – UK-based Pastry Chef & Chocolate Consultant
• Neville Noronha – OSD to Goa’s Minister for IT & Tourism
During the discussion, Chef Rippington noted, “I wish the 50-plus generation were born 30 years earlier because today’s young professionals are already AI ambassadors.”
The AI Global Roundtable and the launch of Harmonizing Human Touch and AI in Tourism & Hospitality underscores AI’s growing role in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Institutions worldwide will be encouraged to integrate the book into their curriculum, fostering global knowledge-sharing.
This initiative calls on industry leaders, academic institutions, and governments to champion AI-driven innovation while preserving hospitality’s core values of empathy and inclusivity.
Leading hospitality figures have praised IIHM’s AI-driven approach:
• Chef Ranveer Brar (Celebrity Chef & MasterChef India Judge): “AI at IIHM addresses a much larger workforce challenge. The industry once feared AI would replace jobs, but we now understand that if used wisely, it enhances skills and transforms professions.”
• Padmashri Chef Sanjeev Kapoor: “Technology is a tool—it doesn’t have a soul. Hospitality professionals must bring the soul while using Technology as a support system.”
• Professor David Foskett: “AI doesn’t eliminate jobs; it enables professionals to deliver better, more personalized guest experiences. IIHM is setting an example by balancing Technology and the human touch.”
Through initiatives like the Young Chef Olympiad and the AI-driven declaration, Dr. Bose’s leadership reaffirms his commitment to innovation and excellence in hospitality education. His visionary leadership and inspiring contributions continue to influence the evolution of the global hospitality industry.
