Nagaland: ‘Crucial to discuss how AI is going to impact the society’

September 27, 2024 12 Views No Comment

1st Round Table Talk on Artificial Intelligence held

Morung Express News
Kohima | September 27

With AI (Artificial Intelligence) expected to bring a massive revolution over the next decade, Principal Secretary, Science & Technology, I Himato Zhimomi on Thursday underscored that it is very crucial to discuss how AI is going to impact the society and will be used by everyone both in the government and the private sector.

He was addressing the 1st Round Table Talk on AI at the Directorate of Science & Technology, Kohima on September 26. He stated that the government is looking at it from two aspects including the user side of AI and the makers of AI while emphasising on the importance of guiding the people on which direction they should specialise in, work in or invest in.

This, he added, “is spanning right from the school to academia to professional institutions right up to the job market.” Further stating that, “we have a responsibility to be able to provide concrete direction to our young people,” he also dwelt on what AI can and will do in the job market in the next decade on.

Reiterating that it’s going to be very crucial on how AI is going to impact the society and how it is going to be used by each and everyone both by the government and the public, he urged on discussing what the government can do to help our people get into the business of AI as far as makers are concerned. In this connection, he also said that there are two aspects to it namely hardware involving transistors and chips, and software, which, he said, Nagas are quite prolific right from the Apps, programming or other related fields.

The reason for having the round table talk on AI, he highlighted is recognising the need “to put our minds together and bring everyone on board.”

“We want the best minds possible, people who are interested and understand what AI is”, he stated while exuding hope that by the end of the round table talk, they would have a roadmap and be able to jointly move forward.

In her welcome address, NCS Ex-Officio Director & Joint Secretary, Science & Technology, Zeneikhono Vimero remarked that the “Nagaland Science Mission has a vision for future economic growth for a prosperous society” and that it is going to carry forward through various scientific and technological interventions which include open up a centre for AI. Stating that this has also positively aligned with the India AI Mission, she said, “for the next five years, India is going to take a super leap in this with India.”

Highlighting that India AI is taking a very significant mission in reviving AI mission infrastructure establishment for start-ups, academia and researchers, she also informed that ot has the cabinet approval for more than 100 Cr.

In the technical session, Prof Samarendra Dandapat, Professor Dept. of Electronics and Electrical Engineer, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati Assam, India spoke on the topic of “Emerging Al Tools in India.”

Dr Anuja Pandey Programme, Director-PGCMIT Head India Case Research Centre-ICRC All India Management Association (AIMA) New Delhi spoke on “Applications of Al in Indian Context & Future Prospects” while Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS Deputy Secretary, Sixteenth Finance Commission Ministry of Finance, shared on “Experiences Sharing on Wokha Saathi: AI-Powered Chatbot: Case Study.”

In the second session, Kekuneil Ltu/Onongoto Soleho moderated the Round Table Discussion while Dr Nesatalü Hiese, Mission Director & Scientist D, Nagaland Science Mission gave the closing remarks and also proposed the vote of thanks.