President Murmu Bats For Interdisciplinary Collaboration In AI

Artificial intelligence has become a priority area globally and will create opportunities for youth across sectors, said President Droupadi Murmu at NIT Raipur’s 14th convocation, while emphasising the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in AI development.

“Development of technology depends on science. It will be helpful for all of you to have information about ultra-modern technology to make outstanding contributions in the field of engineering,” Murmu told students at the convocation.

She also stressed the importance of developing low-cost tech solutions for local problems, citing how the collaboration between IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Centre led to India’s first gene therapy method for cancer treatment.

“I want the students and professors of NIT Raipur, inspired by the example of IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Centre, should understand the possibilities of collaboration with AIIMS Raipur, IIT Bhilai and ‘Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Health Science and Ayush University’ and work on it,” she added.

The President’s comments align with the government’s push to establish India as an AI hub. In December last year, the Centre launched the IndiaAI Mission with an allocation of INR 10,372 Cr over five years to boost AI applications in agriculture, healthcare and education.

The mission includes an allocation of INR 4,500 Cr specifically for AI computing infrastructure equipped with GPUs. 

The mission focuses on building AI compute infrastructure for startups and innovators through initiatives like AIRAWAT (AI Research, Analytics and Knowledge Assimilation).

Highlighting India’s AI progress, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently praised PM Modi’s vision for AI development. During a fireside chat with Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, Huang said Modi was the first global leader to discuss AI with his cabinet.

The semiconductor giant has partnered with 2,000 Indian startups including Flipkart, Zoho, Krutrim and Sarvam AI.

The government has taken steps to strengthen India’s AI ecosystem through public-private partnerships. The electronics and IT ministry recently collaborated with Google to upskill 10,000 startups in AI technologies.

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