Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 31: Recognising his contributions to artificial intelligence education, digital empowerment and technology-driven learning, Nikeelu Gunda, Founder and CEO of Super AI Academy, was honoured with the ‘AI Educator & Innovator of the Year’ Award at the inaugural Pragathi Ratna Awards 2026, held at PBR Convention Hall, Bandlaguda, Hyderabad, on October 25.
The award was presented by renowned Indian actress Shriya Saran during a ceremony celebrating entrepreneurs, educators, innovators, business leaders and professionals from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other regions.
Organised by Unik Life Groups, under the leadership of business growth strategist and motivational speaker Venu Kalyan, the ceremony recognised 81 achievers across ten categories under the theme Celebrating Telugu Progress.
The recognition acknowledges Gunda’s efforts to promote AI literacy, encourage practical adoption of emerging technologies and make artificial intelligence education accessible to students, working professionals, entrepreneurs and individuals from diverse educational backgrounds.
Making Artificial Intelligence Education Accessible
As artificial intelligence increasingly influences education, employment, entrepreneurship and business operations, the need for accessible, practical and industry-relevant AI training has become an important priority.
Through Super AI Academy, Nikeelu Gunda has been working towards bridging the gap between emerging AI technologies and the practical skills required by individuals and businesses to use them effectively.
His educational initiatives focus on simplifying complex AI concepts and demonstrating how AI-powered tools can be applied in everyday professional activities, digital marketing, content creation, business development, productivity and entrepreneurship.
A significant aspect of his training approach is the emphasis on practical learning, enabling participants to move beyond theoretical knowledge and gain hands-on experience with AI applications.
His initiatives also focus on helping non-technical learners understand and explore emerging technologies without requiring advanced programming knowledge.
Promoting AI Literacy Through Telugu-Language Education
One of Gunda’s key educational initiatives is the Telugu AI Bootcamp, a programme designed to introduce artificial intelligence concepts and practical tools to Telugu-speaking audiences.
The programme aims to reduce language-related barriers to technology education by explaining AI concepts in an accessible manner, supported by demonstrations, real-world examples and hands-on learning activities.
Through this initiative, participants are introduced to applications of AI in areas such as content creation, professional communication, digital marketing, productivity, automation and business operations.
The programme reflects a broader effort to expand AI literacy beyond conventional technology professionals and encourage participation among students, entrepreneurs, educators, homemakers and working individuals.
By delivering technology education in a regional language, the initiative seeks to make emerging digital tools more approachable to people who may otherwise find English-language technical learning resources difficult to follow.
Supporting Entrepreneurs and Professionals in AI Adoption
Beyond educational programmes, Nikeelu Gunda has been actively involved in conducting workshops and training sessions focused on AI adoption, digital transformation and business growth.
His sessions introduce entrepreneurs and professionals to practical applications of AI tools in marketing, content development, customer communication, business planning and workplace productivity.
Through workshops and business-focused learning initiatives, he has sought to demonstrate how emerging technologies can support small and medium enterprises, independent professionals, content creators and aspiring entrepreneurs.
His work also highlights the importance of developing digital capabilities in response to changing industry requirements and evolving workplace expectations.
The training programmes emphasise practical implementation, encouraging participants to understand not only what AI tools can do but also how they can be incorporated into existing professional and business workflows.
Initiatives for Women’s Digital Empowerment
Another area of focus for Super AI Academy is encouraging women’s participation in digital learning, entrepreneurship and technology-based professional opportunities.
Through the Super AI Women’s Club, the academy offers training initiatives designed for homemakers, working women, individuals returning to the workforce after career breaks and aspiring women entrepreneurs.
The programme focuses on AI tools, digital marketing, content creation, business fundamentals and the skills required to explore entrepreneurship and independent income opportunities.
The initiative seeks to build confidence among women interested in developing new professional capabilities, restarting their careers or exploring business opportunities.
By combining technology education with practical business-oriented learning, the programme aims to support greater participation by women in the digital economy.
From Digital Marketing to Artificial Intelligence Education
Nikeelu Gunda’s professional journey spans digital marketing, entrepreneurship, technology training and AI education.
He is also the Founder of Digital Connect, a Hyderabad-based digital marketing and public relations agency established in 2017.
His experience in digital marketing, branding and business consulting has contributed to his approach to AI education, particularly in demonstrating how emerging tools can be used for practical business applications.
Over the years, he has participated in training programmes, workshops and speaking engagements involving educational institutions, professional organisations and industry platforms.
His engagements have included sessions associated with institutions and organisations such as Microsoft, ICRISAT, FTCCI, the University of Hyderabad and other academic institutions.
He is also a Microsoft Certified Educator, reflecting his continued involvement in technology-based learning and professional education.
Through his work across digital marketing and artificial intelligence, Gunda has sought to connect technology awareness with skills development and practical implementation.
Encouraging the Next Generation of AI Learners
The growing availability of generative AI tools has created opportunities for individuals across industries to explore new ways of working, learning and creating digital content.
However, effective adoption requires awareness, digital literacy, responsible usage and practical understanding.
Gunda’s training initiatives focus on encouraging learners to experiment with AI tools, develop relevant skills and identify meaningful applications in their professional and personal lives.
His work promotes the view that AI education should extend beyond software developers and technology specialists to include educators, students, entrepreneurs, business owners, creators and other professionals.
Through workshops, digital learning programmes and community engagement, Super AI Academy aims to contribute to the development of an AI-aware and digitally skilled learning community.
Pragathi Ratna Awards 2026 Celebrates Excellence Across Industries
The inaugural Pragathi Ratna Awards 2026 brought together 81 recipients representing real estate, education, healthcare, retail, fashion, manufacturing, agriculture, financial services, hospitality, technology, entertainment and social service.
Actress Shriya Saran graced the occasion as chief guest and presented the awards to recipients, while Business Mint served as the celebrity coordination partner.
The ceremony was organised by Unik Life Groups under the leadership of its Founder, Venu Kalyan, with the objective of recognising individuals and businesses contributing to entrepreneurship, professional development and economic growth.
The event also formed part of Venu Kalyan’s two-day Transform Your Life business development workshop, conducted on October 24 and 25 in Hyderabad.
The programme focused on business leadership, marketing, sales, entrepreneurship and sustainable growth strategies.
The organisers announced plans to establish the Pragathi Ratna Awards as an annual recognition platform celebrating professional achievements and entrepreneurial contributions across the Telugu states.
Recognition of an Evolving Field in Education
The ‘AI Educator & Innovator of the Year’ Award to Nikeelu Gunda highlights the growing relevance of artificial intelligence education as digital technologies become increasingly integrated into businesses, workplaces and learning environments.
His recognition places AI education among the diverse professional fields represented at the Pragathi Ratna Awards 2026.
The honour also draws attention to the role of trainers, educators and educational organisations working to improve public understanding of emerging technologies and equip individuals with relevant digital capabilities.
For Super AI Academy, the recognition marks a milestone in its efforts to promote accessible, practical and regional-language AI education.
As artificial intelligence continues to influence industries and professions, initiatives focused on digital literacy, hands-on training and inclusive learning are expected to remain important to preparing individuals for technology-driven opportunities.
About Nikeelu Gunda
Nikeelu Gunda is an AI Educator, Digital Marketing Coach, Entrepreneur, and Founder and CEO of Super AI Academy. He is also the Founder of Digital Connect, a Hyderabad-based digital marketing and public relations agency established in 2017.
His professional work focuses on artificial intelligence education, digital marketing, business growth, professional skills development, and technology adoption. Through training programmes, workshops and educational initiatives, he promotes practical AI learning among students, professionals, entrepreneurs and Telugu-speaking audiences.
He received the AI Educator & Innovator of the Year Award at the Pragathi Ratna Awards 2026.
About Super AI Academy
Super AI Academy is an AI education and skills-development initiative focused on making artificial intelligence learning accessible and practical for a wide range of audiences.
Its educational programmes include the Telugu AI Bootcamp, AI workshops, digital marketing training, business-oriented AI learning and initiatives aimed at supporting women’s digital empowerment.
The academy focuses on practical applications of AI in education, productivity, content creation, entrepreneurship and business operations.
About Pragathi Ratna Awards
The Pragathi Ratna Awards is an initiative organised by Unik Life Groups, founded by Business Growth Strategist Venu Kalyan, to recognise entrepreneurial achievement, professional excellence, innovation and contributions to society.
