Artificial Intelligence is the need of hour: Prof Dilip Chandra Nath

Artificial Intelligence is the need of hour: Prof Dilip Chandra Nath

Special Correspondent

Silchar: Artificial Intelligence (AI) also called machine intelligence, is demonstrated by machines in contrast to the normal intelligence displayed by humans. It was in 1956, the term was first coined by John Macarthy. But it came to be used more and more very long ago. It was for the first time that this subject came for lively deliberation at the 6th anniversary of Pritam Bhattacharjee memorial lecture and annual prize distribution ceremony under the aegis of Keshav Smarak Samiti, Silchar.

Prof Dilip Chandra Nath, Vice-Chancellor, Assam University, speaking on the theme “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Studies” before the packed audience of teachers, students and academicians at the auditorium of Gurucharan College here on Monday, said, “AI is the need of the hour, particularly in the field of higher education.” For the ever increasing number of students and teachers and the constrained accommodation, preparation of routine for multiple classes in multiple disciplines can hardly be possible by human intelligence. Application of AI becomes imperative, of course, he cautioned, with a rider as risk factors are involved also.

After all, it is the man behind the operation of machines. Any wrong or incorrect information fed into machine can upset the set things. Functioning of big libraries in universities and colleges, particularly in cataloguing and all other related matters of issue and collection of books, is all based on AI, Prof Nath pointed out. In fact, new challenges have come before higher education in the wake of new education policy. In 1950, number of universities was 26, today it has come around 1000. In contrast to 600 colleges in 1950, it has grown to 50,000. Along with expansion, capacity has shrunk. Foreign Universities are also entering Indian academic market. “AI alone can meet their challenges,” Prof Dilip Chandra Nath explained.

Use of robots is the use of AI, a mix up of computer and information science. Increasing use of robots indicates its ability to bring all knowledge and solve all problems. Flight operations worldwide is more by AI than HI. Even a decade back, much depended on pilots’ intelligence and discretion to fly or not, to land or not land. Even the height to be maintained during flight, down or up, is done by machines. Prof Nath said IITs are more advanced in the use of personalised assistance to students throughout the enrolment process.

With the introduction of CBCS in higher education, application of AI has become a necessary thought of the authorities concerned. AI can provide 24X7 personalised assistance to students throughout the enrolment process. Required techniques are yet to be developed. In UK, 50% works in higher education is done by machines. After all, AI as Prof Dilip Chandra Nath summed up is ‘responsive, decisive, authentic and independent.’ Future no doubt belongs to AI. The oration was followed by question-answer session. At the outset, Khounish Chandra Chakraborty, president, briefed the audience about the donation of a fund of Rs 21 lakh by educationist and father of Pritam Bhattacharjee to Keshav Smarak Samiti, to hold memorial lecture in memory of his son by eminent academicians on subjects of academic interest and also to provide incentives to meritorious students for their academic excellence and achievements.

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