UCOST hosts Conclave on ‘Artificial Intelligence for U’khand’
By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 5 Aug: The First Conclave on AI for Uttarakhand was hosted by Uttarakhand Council of Science & Technology (UCOST) at the Janata Durbar Hall of the CM’s residence here today. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The conclave was held on the initiative of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Apart from the inaugural session, which was inaugurated by the CM, three technical sessions were also held through the day all concerning making best possible use of Artificial Intelligence for development of Uttarakhand.
In his keynote address at the inaugural session, Chief Minister Dhami emphasised on making best use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure faster development and greater employment generation in the state. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also announced that a Centre of Excellence on AI will be set up to make the AI mission successful in the state.
Dhami said that everyone has to brainstorm together to take the state forward with the help of AI. He expressed hope that the brainstorming sessions being held today on AI will definitely bring out very useful suggestions which will help take the state forward on the basis of AI. The CM stated that, with the help of AI, a significant development in ecology, economy, technology, accountability and sustainable development can be achieved. He insisted that the experts and people discharging various responsibilities will also have to work on AI. He said that a road map has been prepared to develop AI technology in Uttarakhand along with Science Technology and Innovation Policy. He also observed that AI is certain to affect every aspect of one’s life in future.
Dhami said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a special focus on science technology and AI. And under his leadership, India is now among the leading nations in the field of AI. AI has also saved people’s time. Revolutionary changes in scientific research and daily life have come through AI. AI is becoming the main reason for innovation in industry, medicine and medical diagnosis, agriculture, education, science and even in wildlife preservation and forestry. AI can play an important role in the development and prosperity of the state, he observed.
The CM claimed that the state government is working rapidly in every field to make Uttarakhand the leading state of the country, proof of which is that the state has secured the first position in the index of Sustainable Development Goals. The state is rich in natural resources, cultural heritage, excellent human resources. A large area is covered by forests. By using AI correctly, these resources can be used in the best way. The chances of success can be increased by increasing the use of AI in agriculture, tourism, health, education and other areas. He added that, with the help of AI, effective work can be done to understand and deal with disaster and climate change in the state. By creating better coordination with the central government, an environment conducive to AI is being created in the state. With the cooperation of various institutions and institutes of the state, work on creating an effective mechanism for AI will be undertaken.
On this occasion, the CM also inaugurated Bodhisattva’s online editions, available in both English and Hindi.
Director General, UCOST, Prof Durgesh Pant said that the present is the time of AI. Uttarakhand is the land of Gods as well as spiritual and scientific solutions. He emphasised that Uttarakhand is a “Solution State” and highlighted the 3 S’s: Solution, Spirituality, and Science. He also provided an overview on the programme. There are many central institutions here. The state of Uttarakhand is moving forward as a knowledge state. Pant said that the state can become strong and prosperous only with the concept of knowledge state. Linking AI with the development of the state, work has to be done in agriculture, tourism, good governance, livelihood, health and other areas. Today’s brainstorming would bring forth effective and decisive suggestions.
Retired IAS officer Dinesh Tyagi, who has been working on AI for some time, claimed that Uttarakhand has a very conducive environment to become the AI Hub of the country because of the large presence of skilled persons and good level of education here. He added that AI simplifies the lives of people. He asserted that today’s environment in Uttarakhand is different. A big positive change has come in the state. There is a need to establish basic infrastructure to promote AI. At present, every place in the state will have to be covered with high speed internet connectivity. It is necessary to provide basic education in AI to as many students as possible in schools/colleges. The aim should be to provide convenience to people through AI. Youths are also to be connected to employment through AI.
Prof OPS Negi, VC of Uttarakhand Open University, said that AI is the need of the hour. Innovation, technology and quality have to be worked upon through AI. He also stressed on integrating AI in the education system. He reminded that Uttarakhand Open University was the first university to begin certificate courses in AI. Now the effort is to make distance education more effective through AI. Emphasis will be laid on strengthening the education system through internet ideas.
The inaugural session was followed by three technical sessions. The first session was titled “AI Ecosystem for Uttarakhand – Alignment with National Priorities”. The second session was titled, “Preparing for the Future – Infrastructure, Skills, and Innovation”, while the third and concluding session was titled “Making AI Work for Uttarakhand – Sector-Specific Data and Use Cases”.
On this occasion, Vice Chairman, Infrastructure Monitoring Council, Vishwas Dawar, Secretary, IT, Nitesh Jha and Vice Chancellors of various universities were also present.
