Punjab: Guv Kataria calls for AI-enabled, ethical, industry-oriented higher education

Chandigarh: Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday urged university vice-chancellors to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) for transforming higher education, research and innovation, while ensuring technology remains human-centric, ethical, inclusive and socially responsible.

He was addressing the vice-chancellors' conference on "Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education" at Punjab Lok Bhavan here. He said the AI revolution is changing how people learn, work, conduct research and take decisions. The governor described AI as a transformative force that could significantly influence India's economy and society in the coming decades.

Governor calls for multidisciplinary AI education

The governor said universities must look beyond AI as merely a subject of engineering and computer science and promote multidisciplinary AI education across medicine, agriculture, law, finance, languages, social sciences and other fields. He asked institutions to develop AI-based solutions for agriculture, healthcare, water conservation, governance and environmental challenges.

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Governor Kataria stressed the importance of AI laboratories, bridge courses, certification programmes, reskilling and practical learning. He highlighted the National Education Policy-2020, IndiaAI Mission, BharatGen, Anusandhan National Research Foundation and One Nation One Subscription as important initiatives to strengthen India's research and technological capabilities.

Emphasising responsible AI, the governor highlighted concerns regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, deepfakes, misinformation, transparency and accountability. He said students must learn not only what AI can do, but also what AI should and should not do. Calling upon universities to become centres of knowledge, innovation and nation-building, Kataria said their contribution would be crucial in preparing India's youth for the future and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.