On Friday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha urged all universities in Jammu and Kashmir to establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) labs to promote cutting-edge research and innovation. He made this announcement during the ‘National Science Day’ seminar held at the University of Kashmir in Srinagar.

The Lieutenant Governor extended his greetings on this significant occasion and paid tribute to the esteemed scientist Sir CV Raman. This year’s theme for National Science Day is “Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for Viksit Bharat.”

He highlighted the importance of advancing science and technology, facilitating knowledge exchange, and encouraging creativity and innovation for a sustainable future. Addressing the rapid global technological advancements, he explained that the proposed AI Lab will function as a distinct unit within the Science and Technology Department, collaborating across disciplines with industry experts, researchers, educators, and technologists.

“AI is an integral part of our future. Its influence will touch every aspect of our lives, making it essential for our youth to enhance their AI skills and for our workforce to be reskilled and upskilled to align with evolving trends. This will help make Jammu and Kashmir a more competitive union territory,” stated the Lieutenant Governor.

The AI Labs at universities will actively engage with local industries to incorporate new AI discoveries and innovations into their operations. Research conducted there will focus on the current applications of AI and identify strategies to improve its adoption in order to increase productivity and profitability, according to the Lieutenant Governor.

He also encouraged universities to adopt a flexible approach towards AI by offering short-term courses tailored to rapid technological advancements and industry needs. “Scientists, technologists, and entrepreneurs will be the driving force behind Viksit Bharat. They will spearhead India’s scientific and technological advancements, creating a robust foundation for the innovative ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir,” he remarked.

The Lieutenant Governor pointed out that AI will soon be crucial for professionals in health care, emergency services, industry management, and various leadership roles. He stressed the importance of university AI labs in facilitating workshops and training sessions to ensure the workforce in J&K becomes AI literate, equipping leaders across sectors to make informed decisions.

He urged students and faculty to collaboratively devise a five-year plan to harness new technologies like AI for the benefit of Jammu and Kashmir’s development. “While pursuing groundbreaking discoveries, we must also prioritize innovations that address local challenges. We must ensure that technologies like AI adhere to ethical standards and remain free from biases,” he added.

The Lieutenant Governor praised the University of Kashmir for its significant contributions to scientific innovation and the educational sector.

Professors Ajit Kembhavi and Anil Bharadwaj, who participated virtually, discussed “Astronomy for Citizens” and the progress of space science in India, respectively. The seminar was organized by the Department of Physics at the University of Kashmir and collaborated with Vigyan Bharati, New Delhi, in commemoration of the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ by Sir CV Raman.

Numerous attendees included Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir; Saurabh Bhagat, Commissioner/Secretary of the Science & Technology Department; Dr. Som Dev Bharadwaj, Organizing Secretary of Vigyan Bharati; scientists; faculty members; and a large number of students.