Tech Explained: Here’s a simplified explanation of the latest technology update around Tech Explained: Food for thought: GNDU’s ‘AI Langar’ vision to use technology for social service, welfare in Simple Termsand what it means for users..
In the backdrop of the India AI Impact Summit, which recently concluded in New Delhi, the Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) held its own deliberations and dialogue on integrating artificial Intelligence tools with Punjabi language and using the technology for the benefit of the state.
At the three-day World Punjabi Conference hosted by GNDU, speakers unveiled a new vision of service-oriented technology to shape the future of Punjab. In his address, GNDU Vice-Chancellor Karamjit Singh termed the new outlook as “AI Langar: The Future of Punjab”.
“Just as the tradition of langar is a symbol of service and equality, AI Langar is an important step towards making technology a tool for public interest and social welfare. To achieve this goal, we will create a state-level ecosystem using Punjabi, which will lead the digital world in language technology. The ecosystem will protect and safely utilise the shared data resources of Punjab to prepare data commons, besides preparing the youth for the AI age with skill development. It will ensure transparency and justice in the use of technology for ethical purposes,” he said.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the conference, the VC presented a three-point approach to connect Punjabi with the technology through AI Langar. “The vision will satisfy the state’s hunger for knowledge, employment and technical expertise. The initiative will be free, transparent and easy for all to access,” he said. Laying down a framework to make Punjabi society ‘AI capable’, he said it was important to create a common ‘data repository’ by collating the Punjabi data available with all the state’s universities and institutions.
The skill development mission is to make youths experts in machine learning and AI. He said that an agreement has been signed with an American university, which will provide free advanced diploma in the field to 30 students.
During the conference, the Punjab School of Economics, University Business School and University School of Financial Studies, in collaboration with the Golden Jubilee Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and RUSA, Elsevier and Infinity, deliberated upon an AI push for higher education at GNDU. The deliberations explored how AI could accelerate Sustainable Development Goals through research, innovation and responsible policy frameworks prepared by academicians, policymakers, researchers and industry experts from India and abroad.
Mahesh Verma, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, linked the conference to the AI summit in New Delhi and called for cautious and ethical use of AI that prioritised accountability of algorithms. He stressed the need for humanitarianism in a fast-paced AI world.
Professor Félix Puime Guillén from the University of A Coruña, Spain, presented a global perspective on technological innovation, sustainability governance and international collaboration. With focus on research and teaching AI to root errors and misinformation, the speakers said it was important to deliberate the ‘data sovereignty’ of AI and ensuring a framework to keep the use of the technology in check.