PanIIT Conclave 2019

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are technologies that are poised to transform the way humans will interact with machines, and the role that machines will play in all spheres of human life. On the one hand there is the exhilaration and excitement of the immense potential of these technologies to enhance and enrich human life, and on the other hand there is fear and apprehension of a dystopian future where machines have taken over.

Yet one thing is completely clear: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are going to transform the social, economic and political life of all nations and societies, and like other transformative technologies of the past, they will change the world, but even more so.

Where does India stand in the AI world right now? What do we need to do to make sure that in the future Indians can get the maximum benefit from AI with minimum risk? Where lie the opportunities and where the pitfalls?

The Government of India had appointed a Task Force on Artificial Intelligence headed by Prof. V Kamakoti of IIT Madras and Its report has been released and is available to the public. There are also other committees set up by the Government which have weighed in on the opportunities that AI provides and what public policy might be.

For India to develop as an AI powerhouse, however, will require more than just good policy. We will need to bring together industry, policy makers, researchers and investors to turn the dream into reality. That is what the Conclave aims to do. It will bring together global thought leaders, academics, policy makers and business leaders to confer not only on the immense potential of AI to bring benefits, and the opportunities, but also to dwell on the risks and pitfalls that we would need to be wary about. Many of the global leaders in AI development and business are IIT alumni, and PanIIT alumni are therefore in a unique position to take India’s AI agenda forward.

PanIIT Conclave 2019 will be held on 19 – 20 January 2019 on the campus of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. Delegates will be able to see, and listen to, some of the finest minds in the world of AI. It promises to be an enriching experience.