In a landmark moment for global hospitality and AI innovation, the NamAIste IIHM Hospitality GPT—the world’s first generative AI knowledge engine dedicated to the hospitality industry—was unveiled before a global audience of hospitality leaders, students, and stakeholders.
On February 2, on the banks of the River Mandovi, close to 50 young chefs from hospitality institutions in 50 countries, their mentors, and some of the world's best hospitality educators held hands to signify the bridges of love and bonding that only hospitality can build. They were participants in the annual Young Chef Olympiad-the largest congregation of young chefs in the world-organised by the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), India's most internationally recognised hospitality institute with campuses across India, including Goa, as well as abroad. They also pledged to work together and share knowledge and earnings so that hospitality students and professionals can learn, share, and better the world of hospitality.
A little over three months later, the iconic Chairman of IIHM, Dr. Suborno Bose, and his technical partner team launched the industry-disrupting world's first hospitality GPT- NamAIste IIHM Hospitality GPT-a self-created, India-made and India-controlled GPT. Importantly, this hospitality GPT, unlike a conventional ChatGPT, will host knowledge and information on all aspects of hospitality, created and shared by over 60 of the best hospitality colleges across the world.
There is a new dawn in the world of hospitality. The global unison of technology and human touch, in the form of the world's first-ever hospitality-exclusive GPT, was launched in Kolkata, India, following the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream for a 'Make in India' technology in the spirit of Viksit Bharat
Dr. Suborno Bose - Chairman IIHM and creator of NamAIste.
Beyond the realms of a chatbot or a normal GPT, the NamAIste - IIHM Hospitality GPT is a repository of extensive, inclusive, and exclusive knowledge, information, research, innovation, and trends-galaxies beyond what a normal search engine or chatbot can provide.
This was welcomed by the industry as nothing less than a giant satellite launch into space. In effect, it wasn't far from that, as the NamAIste IIHM Hospitality GPT will traverse new horizons, offering closed-user access to unmatched information and research.
The industry is ready to accept it. The industry is waiting. It's a global mind-changer. It is not just a tech marvel but the dawn of a new way of thinking-the dawn of reimagining things
Dr. Suborno Bose - Chairman IIHM and creator of NamAIste.
During his vision address at the grand launch event at IIHM Global Campus-and joined virtually from India and nations across time zones and geographies-Dr. Bose added:
"It is an engine of innovation, excellence, and a bold announcement that India is at par with the best in the world. The time for India to lead has come and we have arrived. If the US can have Google, and China can have DeepSeek, India can- and now does - have NamAlste. NamAIste - IIHM HospitalityGPT is designed to empower students, faculty, hospitality professionals, and industry stakeholders with real-time access to insights, trends, and global best practices."
Entiovi Technologies was the tech partner in the development of NamAlste. a customised Large Language Model (LLM) specifically tailored for the hospitality industry ensuring hospitality-centric, AI-powered learning and decision-making.
Sanjoy Chatterjee, Director of Entiovi Technologies, an industry-admired name in tech innovation, said during his vision address:
“It all started with an early morning conversation between me and Dr. Bose in February this year. The uniqueness of NamAIste is not the technology. The whole platform is built on open-source technology. The uniqueness lies in creating the knowledge base from 60 countries. Imagine a student in Bengal writing a question about Japanese culinary history and the answer coming from Japanese documents-in Bengali."
When this was demonstrated, the entire audience in Kolkata and those participating virtually-burst into loud applause. Countries across the world also realised the depth and uniqueness of this exclusive knowledge.
Dr. Suborno Bose further underlined the significance of this global launch to the nation:
"This is a true Make in India moment because it shows what we are capable of and this is for the entire hospitality industry, which has been a huge supporter of IIHM for 34 years. This is what our mission statement is all about-innovation and creativity. This is another great example of how IIHM moves beyond traditional hospitality education to innovative education backed by AI and technological emergence."
On how this hospitality GPT is for the future, Dr. Bose said:
"It is best for students and will change the way hospitality education is taught in the future. It's made by Indians, for the world. It's a gift from India to the world of hospitality. We do not teach our students hospitality management-we teach them the business of hospitality. We invest a lot to promote that."
Revolutionising hospitality education and training
Enabling smart, data-driven decision-making for industry professionals
Providing instant access to best practices, SOPs, and service innovation strategies
The launch was joined by hospitality educators, iconic chefs, and CEOs of hospitality-linked companies all of whom will serve as ambassadors, taking the NamAIste IIHM Hospitality GPT to the world, for the benefit of students, innovators, and hospitality leaders.
It is a proud moment for India as this tool is made in India and supports the Make in India movement. This tool and technology will support the hospitality industry in India and globally
Manish Dayya - General Manager , Sofitel BKC
An evangelist is someone who brings good news. Dr. Suborno Bose is not just an AI evangelist he is a hospitality evangelist. NamAlste is the best news the hospitality industry has received in the modern era
Ishan Sarkar - Chief Business Officer , Indya Foods
The NamAIste - IIHM Hospitality GPT is truly a gift-not only to India, but to the global hospitality community. If 'Tech and Touch' is the mantra, and integrating AI into hospitality is the goal, then NamAIste is the perfect launch vehicle. In the world of AI, this is nothing short of a space mission-turning the seemingly impossible into reality. Congratulations to Dr. Suborno Bose and the entire IIHM team
Sabrina Dey - General Manager ITC Windsor,