Mumbai: Indian Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the potential of transformative emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) is truly remarkable.
During his address to students at IIT Bombay, Dhankar said, “We are on the cusp of technological revolution,” adding that it will fundamentally reshape the way we live, work, and interact and calling it both an opportunity and a challenge.
He encouraged the students to delve into research and innovation, urging them to harness technology for the betterment of society, improving the quality of life for people in India and beyond.
He also stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between esteemed institutions like IIT and both industry and government, in order to democratise and make technology accessible to all.
“Women empowerment is quintessential for equitable development in any society,” he said while commending government initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission, Ujjwala Yojana, and Har Ghar Jal Yojana.
These initiatives have not only provided dignity to thousands of women but also liberated them from arduous tasks, significantly improving their lives, Jagdeep Dhankhar said. He also highlighted the recent passing of the women’s reservation bill in parliament as a landmark development that will have profound societal implications.
Addressing the evolving landscape of warfare and the increasing role of technology in strategic domains, the Vice-President emphasised that being capable of extreme offence is the best defence.
Describing knowledge as the ultimate power that can determine an individual’s, organisation’s, and nation’s place in the world, the Vice-President encouraged students to engage in cutting-edge research in areas like Quantum Computing, artificial intelligence, 6G, Cryptography, Cybersecurity, and Green Hydrogen.
The Vice-President recognised the youth as key stakeholders in governance, reflecting on the demographic dividend and their role. He expressed confidence in the capacity of youth to shape the future of India and called them the primary drivers of growth.
In his address, Jagdeep Dhankhar stressed the need to create synergy among premier institutes like IIT, industry, and the government to catalyse technological development and propel India to global leadership.
The Vice-President also acknowledged the invaluable contributions of IIT Bombay’s alumni across various fields. He proposed the creation of a body comprising alumni associations of all IITs to leverage their collective experience, expertise, and exposure in policy-making and execution.
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