23, Aug 2026
Additional Information on the Ehrmann Family Increasing Its Equity Stake in Artprice by Artmarket as Part of Artprice’s “AI-First” Transformation
PARIS, Aug. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As announced in Artmarket.com’s Q2 2026 press release published on August 13, 2026, under the title “Artmarket.com: Q2 2026 Growth — From Progressive Transition to Artprice’s ‘AI-FIRST’ Mutation”, Thierry Ehrmann, Founder and CEO of Artmarket.com, and his family reaffirm their complete confidence in the future of Artprice by Artmarket.com—the global leader in Art Market information—and in the sustained growth of its operations. This momentum is driven, in particular, by substantial investments committed to developing Artprice by Artmarket.com’s proprietary vertical AI solutions: “Intuitive Art Market ©” and “Blind Spot ©”.
The conviction of the Ehrmann family and Groupe Serveur, the majority shareholder, in the continued expansion of Artprice by Artmarket will materialize shortly through an increased equity stake in Artmarket.com via the acquisition of additional Artmarket.com shares. All mandatory regulatory disclosures will be filed with the AMF (the French Financial Markets Authority) and published online within legal deadlines, with share purchases executed strictly within authorized trading windows.
These current and upcoming transactions are intended solely to reaffirm their confidence in the future of Artprice by Artmarket.com and to provide full support to Artmarket.com. They are in no way intended to initiate a takeover bid or squeeze-out offer (tender offer / buyout), contrary to persistent misinterpretations across certain forums, nor do they involve any failure by the Ehrmann family to disclose transactions or threshold crossings.
The ONDE extranet (Outil de Notification et de Déclaration Électronique), the AMF’s secure platform dedicated to filing official regulatory declarations (insider transactions, major shareholding threshold crossings, etc.), lists the following current and upcoming filings:
- 1st filing — No. 2026DD1133787 (published on 08/17/2026)
- 2nd filing — No. 2026DD1134265 (published on 08/20/2026)
- 3rd supplementary filing — No. 2026DD1134267 (published on 08/20/2026)
In alignment with this determination to increase the family’s equity participation in Artmarket.com, Mrs. Nadège Ehrmann, Board Member of Artmarket.com, has acquired additional Artmarket.com shares. Because the aggregate total of her acquisitions exceeded the statutory regulatory threshold, she completed the mandatory disclosures with both the issuer and the AMF in full compliance with Article 19 of the EU Market Abuse Regulation (MAR).
Furthermore, these share purchases follow ordinary market price fluctuations, which in no way alter the Ehrmann family’s commitment to reinforcing its equity position in Artprice by Artmarket.com.
By way of an iterative update, Thierry Ehrmann has completed the manuscript of an 1,800-page philosophical and scientific treatise dedicated to Artificial Intelligence from 1987 to the present day. The central chapters of this work (approximately 450 rigorously documented pages) chronicle the untold human odyssey of Artprice, culminating in the worldwide construction of a universal memory of the Art Market, forged through extraordinary encounters with the pioneers of Art Market sociology and historic market figures who have since passed away.
These historic relationships enabled Artprice to become the trusted custodian of the collective memory of these very figures. Among other insights, the work provides a scientific account of Artprice’s “AI-First” transformation, grounded in a philosophical framework articulated in 2026 under the AI concept of “alignment.”
This multilingual work will be distributed globally in a free digital edition and as a paid print edition in bookstores. The English version will be released in late August 2026 across OpenAI, Gemini, and on Artprice by Artmarket.com, prior to the launch of the French edition in September 2026.
This brief excerpt from the raw typescript illustrates both the literary style and the philosophical premise of the treatise—namely, the role of artificial intelligence in the formation of thought and memory:
“Artprice was not born to wrest secrets from the Art Market. It was born to prevent the public Market from succumbing to amnesia. This distinction is fundamental. It carries a specific conception of freedom. Transparency is not the abolition of privacy; it consists in rendering intelligible that which already belongs to the common sphere.
The more Artprice grew, the more we realized that we had become responsible for something far exceeding the mere economic and industrial function of a database. When you own a few books, you may do with them as you please. When you have gathered hundreds of thousands of unique fragments of the world’s Art Market memory from across multiple continents, legal ownership does not absolve moral responsibility: it transforms you into a custodian of this universal Art Market memory.
To receive without erasing. To connect without standardizing. To measure without diminishing. To render transparent without desecrating. To leverage digital technology without supplanting the human gaze. To build a digital information economy without ever forgetting that behind every data point lies a work of art, and behind every work of art lies a human being.
For nearly thirty years, we lived by these principles without ever feeling the need to enshrine them in a manifesto. Then, artificial intelligence transformed the nature of the challenge. With AI, memory is no longer merely consulted; it becomes an absolute training ground for learning.
A vertical, proprietary AI can now navigate volumes of information that no assembly of art historians or researchers could absorb in a lifetime. Connecting. Correlating. Detecting patterns. Surfacing anomalies. Rebuilding affinities. Identifying blind spots. Generating algorithmic hypotheses. It is a power of extraordinary magnitude. Yet it makes the authenticity and quality of the primary source more vital than ever.
At that exact moment, the thousands of libraries we salvaged across the globe undergo another shift in status. They are no longer simply Artprice’s past; they become the ultimate guarantee of its future. A vertical AI dedicated to the Art Market is meaningful only if anchored in a memory whose genealogy is flawlessly traceable across catalogues, manuscripts, codices, photographs, biographies, auction records, cross-verified sources, human corrections, and decades of rigorous standardization.
The source precedes the model. Always.”
Copyright 1987-2026 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com – www.artmarket.com
Artprice’s econometrics department can answer all your questions relating to personalized statistics and analyses: econometrics@artprice.com
Find out more about our services with the artist in a free demonstration: https://artprice.com/demo
Our services: https://artprice.com/subscription
About Artmarket.com:
Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris. The latest TPI analysis includes more than 18,000 individual shareholders excluding foreign shareholders, companies, banks, FCPs, UCITS: Euroclear: 7478 – Bloomberg: PRC – Reuters: ARTF.
Watch a video about Artmarket.com and its Artprice department: https://artprice.com/video
Artmarket and its Artprice department were founded in 1997 by thierry Ehrmann, the company’s CEO. They are controlled by Groupe Serveur (created in 1987). cf. the certified biography from Who’s Who In France©:
Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information (the original documentary archives, codex manuscripts, annotated books and auction catalogs acquired over the years) in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 915,300 artists.
Artprice Images® allows unlimited access to the largest art market image bank in the world with no less than 181 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians.
Artmarket, with its Artprice department, constantly enriches its databases from 7,200 auction houses and continuously publishes art market trends for the main agencies and press titles in the world in 121 countries and 11 languages.
Artmarket.com makes available to its 9.3 million members (members log in) the advertisements posted by its Members, who now constitute the first global Standardized Marketplace® for buying and selling artworks at fixed prices.
There is now a future for the Art Market with Artprice’s Intuitive Artmarket® AI.
Artmarket, with its Artprice department, has twice been awarded the State label “Innovative Company” by the French Public Investment Bank (BPI), which has supported the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the art market.
Artprice by Artmarket publishes its 2025 Global Art Market Annual Report, published in March 2026:
https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2025
Artprice by Artmarket publishes its 2025 Contemporary Art Market Report:
https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2025
Summary of Artmarket press releases with its Artprice department: https://serveur.serveur.com/artmarket/press-release/en/
Follow all the Art Market news in real-time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter:
www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (more than 6.4 million subscribers)
Discover the alchemy and the universe of Artmarket and its Artprice department: https://www.artprice.com/video
whose head office is the famous Museum of Contemporary Art Abode of Chaos dixit The New York Times / La Demeure of Chaos:
https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013
Madame Rachida Dati, French Minister of Culture, has granted official recognition to thierry Ehrmann’s Abode of Chaos as a ‘total work of art’, the global headquarters of Artprice by Artmarket.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/madame-rachida-dati-french-minister-of-culture-has-granted-official-recognition-to-thierry-ehrmanns-abode-of-chaos-as-a-total-work-of-art-the-global-headquarters-of-artprice-by-artmarket-302409684.html
La Demeure du Chaos/Abode of Chaos – Total Work of Art and Singular Architecture.
Confidential bilingual work, now made public: https://ftp1.serveur.com/abodeofchaos_singular_architecture.pdf
- L’Obs – The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o
- https://www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (more than 4.1 million subscribers)
https://vimeo.com/124643720
Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department – Contact: ir@artmarket.com
Logo – https://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1060280/Artmarket-logo.jpg?id=OA2904828
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- By Sai Krishna
23, Aug 2026
HTX Research Examines U.S. AI Equities: Technology Remains Early, While Capital Expenditure and Valuations Have Entered the Late Cycle
APIA, Samoa, Aug. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HTX Research, the dedicated research arm of HTX, has released a new report titled The Industrialization of Intelligence and the Bubble Cycle: Token Economics, Capital Expenditure, and the Repricing of Risk-Reward Across U.S. AI Equities. Its central argument is that the AI industry and AI equities are not at the same point in their respective cycles — technological diffusion remains in its early stages while capital expenditure, valuations, and investor sentiment have moved well ahead of it.
The Variables Driving Equity Prices
Markets first priced the scarcity of GPUs, high-bandwidth memory, servers, and data-center capacity, and later the capability gains delivered by frontier models and coding agents. In 2026, the variables driving equity returns are shifting away from model parameter counts and the scale of capital expenditure toward token production costs, task-completion reliability, usage intensity, enterprise-workflow penetration, and the ability of enormous AI investments to generate durable free cash flow.
Behind that shift is a change in the magnitude of capital spending. J.P. Morgan Asset Management estimates that five U.S. hyperscalers will spend approximately $697 billion in 2026, with capital expenditure rising from roughly 33% of their operating cash flow in 2023 to an estimated 93%. Once capital expenditure consumes the overwhelming majority of operating cash flow, market attention necessarily moves from revenue growth to return on capital.
The Bubble Sits in the Financial Architecture, Not the Industry
Cloud revenue, coding-agent adoption, semiconductor sales, and enterprise demand are all growing in real terms, meaning AI technology itself is not a false narrative. Capital expenditure, external financing, data-center projects, private-model valuations, and a number of high-multiple second-tier equities, however, display increasingly speculative characteristics.
Headline price-to-earnings ratios also fail to represent true valuation levels: Alphabet’s multiple is distorted by investment income, and Amazon’s current accounting profit does not reflect a normalized valuation. What genuinely offers value is the closest alignment among normalized valuation, competitive moats, cash flow, and AI optionality.
At current prices and cycle positions, the report views Alphabet as offering the most compelling overall asymmetry, and applies the same framework across Microsoft, Meta, TSMC, NVIDIA, Amazon, Oracle, Micron, AMD, Arista, and Vertiv — distinguishing businesses with high fundamental win rates from those whose valuations already demand near-flawless execution.
AI Is Reshaping How Crypto Investors Allocate Capital
AI’s role as a shared theme across global capital markets extends beyond U.S. equity pricing into the allocation behavior of crypto investors. As names including NVIDIA, Micron, TSMC, Broadcom, Meta, and Alphabet enter the everyday portfolios of crypto users alongside gold, crude oil, ETFs, and pre-IPO assets, a growing share of users now treat crypto and U.S. equities as different allocation directions within a single global risk-asset system.
HTX has been one of the earliest crypto exchanges to systematically pursue this direction. According to data disclosed in August 2026, cumulative trading volume in the platform’s TradFi perpetuals section has exceeded $2.5 billion, with support for more than 170 TradFi-related assets spanning U.S. equities, ETFs, gold, silver, crude oil, AI semiconductors, memory, aerospace, and pre-IPO themes such as OpenAI and Anthropic.
What makes this model work is the platform’s existing base of crypto users who have completed registration, verification, and funding. Holding stablecoins such as USDT, they can trade TradFi assets within the same account without opening a brokerage account or moving capital into a separate financial system — allocating toward gold, ETFs, or large-cap technology when risk appetite declines, and raising crypto and high-beta AI exposure when it recovers.
The Competitive Boundary for Trading Platforms Is Shifting
Competition among trading platforms will extend beyond spot markets, derivatives, liquidity, and listing speed toward a broader contest spanning multi-asset access, wealth management, and AI investment tools. Platforms with durable competitiveness will see their core capability evolve from execution alone toward global asset distribution.
This confirms a larger judgment in the report: AI is changing not only model capability and compute demand, but capital flows, allocation behavior, and how financial products are organized. HTX’s early positioning in TradFi corresponds with HTX Research’s sustained tracking of the AI theme and cross-market capital flows — identifying cycle positions, reading capital flows, and understanding how assets move in relation to one another sits at the core of research work, and also forms a source of first-mover advantage in business decisions. As AI drives global markets into a new phase of convergence, institutions capable of understanding both industrial cycles and capital flows are better positioned for the next round of competition.
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*The above content is not an investment advice and does not constitute any offer or solicitation to offer or recommendation of any investment product. |
About HTX Research
HTX Research is the dedicated research arm of HTX Group, responsible for conducting in-depth analyses, producing comprehensive reports, and delivering expert evaluations across a broad spectrum of topics, including cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and emerging market trends. Committed to providing data-driven insights and strategic foresight, HTX Research plays a pivotal role in shaping industry perspectives and supporting informed decision-making within the digital asset space. Through rigorous research methodologies and cutting-edge analytics, HTX Research remains at the forefront of innovation, driving thought leadership and fostering a deeper understanding of evolving market dynamics. Visit us.
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23, Aug 2026
BRICS Nations Unanimously Adopt Chennai Declaration on Science and Innovation
New Delhi: BRICS countries have unanimously adopted the Chennai Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to building a resilient, inclusive and future-ready framework for cooperation in science, technology and innovation. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced the adoption at the concluding session of the 14th BRICS Science Ministerial Meeting, held under India’s BRICS Chairship.
The Chennai Consensus places a people-centred and humanity-first approach at the core of BRICS cooperation, with emphasis on sustainable development, inclusive growth and the use of emerging technologies to improve people’s welfare and quality of life. The framework also reflects the expanding scope of collaboration among BRICS nations through thematic working groups, young scientist initiatives, innovation programmes and joint research efforts.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the discussions reaffirmed the central role of science, technology and innovation in creating a more resilient and sustainable future. The declaration is expected to strengthen collaborative research, innovation and knowledge-sharing among BRICS countries while supporting technological solutions to shared development challenges.
23, Aug 2026
UIDAI Extends Free Aadhaar Biometric Updates for Children Till September 30
New Delhi: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced that mandatory biometric updates for children aged 5 to 17 years will remain free of cost until September 30, 2026. The facility covers updates to fingerprints, iris scans and photographs and is aimed at ensuring that children’s Aadhaar records remain accurate as they grow.
Under the current fee structure, mandatory biometric updates carried out once between the ages of 5 and 7 years, and once between 15 and 17 years, are free. For children aged 7 to 15 years, the biometric update is also being provided free of charge until September 30, 2026. UIDAI has advised parents and guardians to complete the update within the specified period to avoid applicable charges later.
The biometric update must be completed at an Aadhaar enrolment or update centre, as the process involves capturing the child’s photograph, fingerprints and iris details. UIDAI has highlighted the importance of keeping children’s biometric information updated to support smooth Aadhaar authentication and access to various services. Parents can locate their nearest Aadhaar centre through the official UIDAI website.
23, Aug 2026
Manipur CM Calls for Community Dialogue to Restore Peace and Boost Development
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has stressed that lasting peace is essential for the state’s development and can be achieved only through constructive dialogue and greater understanding among different communities. Speaking at the inauguration of a mechanised parking facility in Imphal on August 22, the Chief Minister said communication between communities was crucial to overcoming divisions and restoring normalcy.
Singh underlined the close link between peace and economic and social progress, saying development would remain difficult unless stability and normalcy were restored across the state. He called for a positive approach and sustained engagement among communities to rebuild trust and create conditions for inclusive development.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come as efforts to promote reconciliation and normalcy continue in Manipur. In a separate event in Imphal, Singh felicitated sportspersons who represented the state at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, including weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu. The government has increasingly highlighted dialogue, community outreach and reconciliation as important elements of its efforts to restore peace and strengthen the state’s development trajectory.
23, Aug 2026
National Space Day: PM Modi Hails India’s Space Rise, Highlights Gen Z Innovation
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted India’s rapid progress in the space sector on National Space Day, underlining the growing role of young Indians in developing new technologies. He said the country’s space journey is increasingly being driven by innovation, entrepreneurship and the confidence of its younger generation, with youth making their mark across science, technology, manufacturing, space and other emerging fields.
National Space Day is observed on August 23 to commemorate the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon in 2023, which made India the first country to land near the lunar south pole. India’s space ecosystem has expanded significantly in recent years following reforms that opened the sector to private companies and startups. According to the government, the number of registered space startups has grown to around 440 in 2026, while the country’s space economy has reached an estimated $9 billion.
The Prime Minister has also stressed that India’s young innovators can play a decisive role in taking the country towards global space leadership. Recent interactions with space entrepreneurs have focused on expanding the practical applications of space technology in agriculture, environmental management, livestock, disaster management and other areas affecting everyday life. The emphasis on Gen Z-led innovation reflects India’s broader ambition to move beyond being a consumer of advanced technologies and emerge as a major hub for their development.
23, Aug 2026
Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness Along Siliguri Corridor
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reviewed the security preparedness of the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, with senior officials from the Centre and West Bengal participating in discussions on strengthening security, infrastructure and border management in the region.
The high-level meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Army, Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and Railway Protection Force, along with the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of West Bengal. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also attended the meeting.
A key presentation was made by the Multi Agency Centre’s Standing Focus Group on Siliguri Corridor, outlining the progress achieved so far and recommending additional measures to reinforce the security architecture around the corridor.
Shah also examined the status of major infrastructure projects being implemented in the region, particularly those considered important from a national security perspective. He called for pending works to be completed within defined timelines, stressing that infrastructure development and security preparedness must progress together.
The meeting also considered issues concerning foreign-linked activities, demographic shifts, illegal immigration and border management. Shah reiterated the Centre’s commitment to strengthening the Siliguri Corridor and ensuring that its security remains robust.
Emphasising a comprehensive approach to border management, the Home Minister called for the effective implementation of the government’s “quadrangular approach” to border security. He asked all agencies involved to work in close coordination and expand their operational presence across the corridor.
Shah directed agencies to establish more institutions and facilities in the region to increase their footprint. He also reviewed the protection of vital installations located along the corridor and instructed authorities to implement all necessary measures to safeguard critical assets.
The Home Minister further called for stronger action against encroachments and illegal immigration in the Siliguri Corridor. The directions underline the government’s focus on combining physical security, infrastructure development, institutional presence and effective border management.
During the meeting, Shah also suggested that the West Bengal government explore the possibility of establishing additional Sainik Schools in North Bengal. He also called for an increase in the number of senior-level NCC cadets in the region as part of efforts to strengthen youth engagement and national preparedness.
Shah urged the state government to further develop the Civil Defence and Home Guards network in the Siliguri Corridor. The measures discussed at the meeting reflect a broader effort to reinforce security coordination and institutional capacity in a region of critical strategic importance to India.
22, Aug 2026
57th IFFI Preparations Reviewed at First Steering Committee Meeting in New Delhi
New Delhi, August 22, 2026: Preparations for the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) were reviewed at the first meeting of the festival’s Steering Committee, held on August 21 at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, and focused on strengthening the festival’s international profile and ensuring a high-quality experience for filmmakers, delegates and cinema enthusiasts.
The 57th edition of IFFI is scheduled to take place in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2026. During the meeting, Dr. Murugan outlined the Government’s vision of making the festival a stronger platform for young students, emerging filmmakers and lesser-known creative professionals. He stressed the need to provide new talent with opportunities to showcase their work, interact with established personalities and build connections with the international film community.
The Minister also highlighted the role of the creative sector in India’s economic growth, noting that the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, under the leadership of Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, is pursuing initiatives aimed at expanding the country’s Orange Economy. He called for greater emphasis on masterclasses, mentorship programmes and structured interactions with experienced filmmakers, alongside efforts to showcase the breadth and diversity of Indian cinema.
International engagement emerged as another key focus of the meeting. The Steering Committee discussed efforts to bring acclaimed films, filmmakers, artists and creative professionals from different parts of the world to IFFI. The festival is being positioned not only as a celebration of cinema but also as a platform for professional networking, creative collaboration and cultural exchange between Indian and international film communities.
Dr. Murugan also acknowledged the contribution of the Government of Goa to IFFI’s continued development and recalled the role of former Goa Chief Minister late Shri Manohar Parrikar in establishing the state as an important destination for international cinema. He appreciated Chief Minister Shri Pramod Sawant for his continued support in strengthening the festival and its arrangements.
Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Chanchal Kumar, said IFFI should serve as a flagship platform for India’s expanding creative economy and promote stronger collaboration between domestic and international creative communities. He also stressed the importance of providing a seamless and professionally managed experience for filmmakers, delegates, guests and cinephiles attending the festival.
During the meeting, NFDC Managing Director Shri Prakash Magdum presented an overview of preparations and initiatives planned for the 57th edition. Festival Director and filmmaker Shri Ashutosh Gowariker welcomed the committee’s recommendations, particularly those relating to masterclasses, opportunities for young filmmakers, selection of outstanding films and participation by leading creative personalities from India and abroad.
The Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Goa, briefed the committee on preparations being undertaken by the state and assured that necessary arrangements would be completed in time. Members of the Steering Committee also stressed the need for sustained coordination between the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, NFDC, the Government of Goa and other stakeholders to ensure the successful conduct of the festival.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, filmmakers and members of the Steering Committee, including Shri Chanchal Kumar, Shri Ashutosh Gowariker, Shri Prakash Magdum, and representatives and noted personalities such as Bhavna Kher, Ram Sampath, Aparna Purohit, Prerna Singh, Namitha, Suhasini Maniratnam, Abhishek Jain, Santosh Sivan, Gaurav Banerjee, Aditya Bhat, Prashant Chothani and Dharam Gulati. The committee expressed confidence that the 57th IFFI would further strengthen its position as an international platform for cinema, creativity, cultural exchange and global collaboration.
22, Aug 2026
Chandigarh University Hosts Global Architectural Voices to Deliberate on Technology, Heritage and Future of Architecture
Leading Architects Deliberate Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies & the Future of Architecture
CHANDIGARH, India, Aug. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Aimed at transforming industry–academia engagement from dialogue into tangible collaboration, the 4th International Conference on Trends in Architecture and Construction (ICTAC 2026) was inaugurated today at Chandigarh University, bringing leading architects, academicians, researchers, industry professionals and scholars onto a single platform to deliberate on the future of architecture and construction.
The conference set the stage for new industry partnerships, architecture and research consultancy, professional knowledge exchange and stronger industry exposure for future architects. Organised by the University Institute of Architecture (UIA), Chandigarh University, the two-day hybrid conference is being held on August 20 and 21, 2026 at Chandigarh University.
The inaugural day brought together eminent voices from the field of architectural education, research and professional practice, including Prof. Jayshree Deshpande, Director of the Council of Architecture – Training & Research Centre (COA-TRC) as Chief Guest, Yatin Pandya, Founder & Principal Architect, Footprints EARTH, Ahmedabad, Manmohan Khanna, Founder & Principal Architect, KMA Architecture and Chairman-IIA, Chandigarh Chapter as Guest of Honours, Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Rai Bhatnagar, Group Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr R Jagdeesh Kannan, Pro Vice Chancellor-Academic Affairs, Chandigarh University among other dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Jayashree Deshpande, Director of the Council of Architecture – Training & Research Centre (COA-TRC) said, “AI and other emerging technologies are a blessing because they can help us to think and design better. Architecture today deals with projects which are immense in scale, and it is not possible for an architect to do everything single-handedly. We must therefore learn to collaborate with engineers, planners, policymakers, consultants and specialists and technology can enable us to work together more effectively.”
Deshpande added, “We are entering an extraordinary phase of technological change, with artificial intelligence, digital twins, generative design, robotics and data-driven planning transforming the way we conceive, design and construct our buildings and cities. But technology should remain a means and not become the mission. Technology must be used to improve the quality of human life, to create spaces, cities and communities that are stronger, more resilient, inclusive and connected. Technology is smart, but the human should be wiser. If we learn to use technology properly, we can create wise cities that are technologically advanced but emotionally connected. This is particularly important as we work towards the vision of Viksit Bharat. Our young professionals should engage with the various initiatives of the Government of India and utilize the opportunities available to contribute to the development of the country. Ultimately, our responsibility as architects is not simply to create iconic buildings, but to create places where people feel safe, included, inspired and at home. If technology can help us achieve that, then it has truly served society and contributed to the larger vision of a Viksit Bharat.”
Yatin Pandya, Founder & Principal Architect, Footprints EARTH, Ahmedabad said, “Architecture is not merely about buildings or forms; it is about the experience, emotion and impact we create. Trends may come and go, but what is truly appropriate and meaningful can remain timeless. As architects, we must observe, understand and foresee the implications of even the smallest design decisions, because our responsibility extends beyond an individual client to the larger community and the future of our planet.”
Manmohan Khanna, Founder & Principal Architect, KMA Architecture said, “Chandigarh University has the potential to become one of the leading institutions in the country and the world and the students here are fortunate to be part of that journey. Students are our future and together we must work towards building the finest professionals for the country.”
A key thrust of ICTAC 2026 is its emphasis on creating concrete mechanisms for sustained industry–academia engagement. The inaugural day also featured the opening of the Heritage Exhibition – ‘Pehchan 2.0’, placing India’s architectural heritage within the wider discourse on identity, conservation and contemporary architectural practice.
The programme further witnessed the unveiling of the ICTAC Inaugural Board and the release of the Abstract Book, followed by paper presentations. The research presentations provided scholars and participants with a platform to share emerging ideas, studies and perspectives in architecture and construction.
The second day of the conference will feature the Industry Colloquium, comprising plenary sessions and high-level panel discussions with distinguished experts from academia, government and industry. A major highlight will be the signing of an MoU between UIA and Walia Creative Architects, creating a formal avenue for closer engagement between academic and professional practice.
About Chandigarh University
Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.
Website address: https://www.cuchd.in/
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22, Aug 2026
Bhubaneswar to Get 2.3-km Six-Lane Road Linking Guru Kelucharan Park to Patia Railway Station
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 22 (UDN): Bhubaneswar is set to get a new 2.387-km six-lane road corridor connecting Guru Kelucharan Park with Patia Railway Station, a project aimed at easing traffic congestion on the busy Jaydev Vihar–Nandankanan stretch and improving connectivity in the city’s rapidly growing northern suburbs.
Representational Image
Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) Chairman Krushna Chandra Mahapatra laid the foundation stone for the Rs 55.85-crore project on Friday.
The road is being developed under the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) as part of the Right Side Road Network (RSRN) to strengthen the city’s transport infrastructure.
Modern Urban Corridor
The 45-metre-wide corridor will pass through Patia, Chandrasekharpur and Gadakana mouzas before terminating at Patia Railway Station.
Designed as a modern urban road, the project will feature six traffic lanes, street lighting, pedestrian footpaths, stormwater drainage and a dedicated utility corridor for essential services. Officials expect the construction to be completed within 18 months.
Alternative Route to Ease Congestion
The new road is expected to provide commuters with an alternative to the congested Jaydev Vihar–Nandankanan corridor, reducing travel time during peak hours and improving access to Patia Railway Station.
Officials said the project would also enhance pedestrian safety and urban mobility through improved footpaths and drainage infrastructure.
Affordable Housing Project Reviewed
After the foundation ceremony, Mahapatra inspected the Affordable Housing Project (AHP) at Gadakana, where the BDA is constructing 680 housing units under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model.
The housing project is intended to expand affordable residential options for eligible beneficiaries while complementing Bhubaneswar’s broader urban infrastructure and development initiatives.
