Chennai: Prof. B. Ravindran, a leading authority on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and head of WASAI at IIT Madras, has said the future of AI in Bharat lies in adopting a holistic, generative, and responsible approach.
Speaking at a workshop in a virtual mode, Prof. Ravindran underscored the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration to shape AI’s evolution in India.
“Artificial Intelligence is a generational technology that will redefine life as we know it,” said Prof. Ravindran.
He highlighted AI’s potential to revolutionize diverse sectors like medicine, technology, science, and even social interactions.
However, he also cautioned that India needs to prioritize domain knowledge and address challenges like fairness, bias, and regulation to fully leverage AI’s potential.
Generative AI and Regulation
“AI is not just one technology. The future hinges on generative AI and the development of holistic models like large language models (LLMs),” he explained.
With challenges like DeepFakes on the rise, Prof. Ravindran advocated for robust regulations to manage AI-generated content. “AI outputs carry unique signatures that can help identify and regulate DeepFake content,” he added.
Simplifying AI for All
Calling for broader awareness, Prof. Ravindran stressed that understanding AI’s basics is no longer optional.
“It’s essential to know what AI is, the buzzwords like GenAI, and the limitations and challenges of this technology,” he said.
He urged the media, as key information disseminators, to equip themselves with AI literacy to accurately inform the public.
During the workshop, he also traced AI’s evolution and explained concepts like generative AI, foundation models, and hallucinations—missteps in AI predictions or outputs.
India’s AI Roadmap
Prof. Ravindran believes India has significant ground to cover but is optimistic about its progress.
“AI challenges like fairness and biases will improve with time. What we need is a committed push for knowledge and innovation,” he remarked.
About Prof. B. Ravindran
A stalwart in the AI field, Prof. Ravindran is the founding head of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, and the Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science & AI at IIT Madras. His expertise spans over three decades in reinforcement learning and responsible AI.
He has been at the forefront of national AI initiatives, chairing task forces on AI and cybersecurity and contributing to India’s regulatory framework for AI. Globally, he serves on AI advisory panels, including the UK’s Advanced AI Safety Panel and the World Economic Forum’s AI for India 2030 initiative.
Prof. Ravindran’s contributions extend to defense applications, grappling with DeepFake issues, and promoting the responsible use of AI in military contexts through the REAIM Global Commission.
