Karvika Thapa to address conference at Harvard, MIT on AI, Nepal's economic transformation

KATHMANDU: Karvika Thapa will speak at The Nepal Discourse 2026 at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on April 25 and 26, addressing how artificial intelligence (AI) can drive Nepal’s economic transformation.

Thapa, a prominent Nepali technology entrepreneur and industry leader, serves as chairperson of Simjung, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Kimbu Tech, executive director of VS International College and co-chairperson of Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) IT Council. She will join a panel titled 'From BPO to IPO – Leveraging AI (Emerging Tech) for Startup Acceleration and Economic Leapfrogging.'

The session will explore the shift from traditional business process outsourcing to high-growth, technology-driven enterprises and the role AI can play in accelerating Nepal’s startup ecosystem and broader economic transformation.

Organised by Nepali student organisations at Harvard and MIT, and supported by Leadership Academy Nepal and Kantipur Media Group, The Nepal Discourse 2026 will bring together leaders from government, industry, academia and the diaspora to discuss AI and the future of work, next-generation leadership, resilient institutions and diaspora engagement.

The panel, moderated by Rumee Singh, CEO and co-founder of Rumsan, will feature speakers including Prasanna Dhungel and representatives from key national institutions. Discussions are expected to focus on operational models, ecosystem actors, policy and capital constraints, and collaborative, innovation-driven strategies to overcome those barriers.

Speaking ahead of the event, Thapa said she was honoured to represent Nepal on a global platform. “From Nepal’s majestic peaks to global high-tech impact - the journey of innovation, trust, and excellence,” she said, underscoring her belief that AI and emerging technologies can unlock new opportunities for Nepali startups and help position the country for sustainable growth in the global digital economy.

Thapa’s participation reflects her ongoing work to strengthen Nepal’s technology ecosystem. She founded the Women in Tech Facebook community, a global network of more than 35,000 members, and has been active in mentoring entrepreneurs beyond Kathmandu, including in provinces such as Koshi and Lumbini.

The Nepal Discourse 2026 is a student-led summit aimed at connecting Nepali leaders and thinkers worldwide to chart pathways for structural reform and innovation in Nepal’s economy.