Amlan Chakrabarti, director of the AK Choudhury School of Information Technology at the University of Calcutta, recently spoke to students at Shree Agrasain College as part of The Times of India’s “Leaders on Campus” initiative. His talk focused on the theme of “AI for Social Sustainability,” where he highlighted the importance of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly to ensure its benefits are realized while minimizing its negative consequences.
Chakrabarti explained that AI is a powerful tool that can be used to drive innovation in various domains such as transport and medicine, but it can also be used to marginalize people and social groups if not designed and used responsibly. He emphasized the need for a nuanced understanding of AI’s potentials and vulnerabilities to achieve societal balance and eliminate pitfalls. Chakrabarti also stressed the importance of maintainability in AI models, which refers to their ability to sustain their productivity over different sets of data.
The speaker highlighted the potential of AI to create jobs and research opportunities, particularly in producing cheaper and more cost-effective solutions. He noted that current AI models are often costly, and there is a need to explore options for scalable and affordable AI solutions to bridge the digital divide in society. Chakrabarti also emphasized the importance of responsibility in using and constructing AI models, which is key to maintaining sustainability.
Throughout his talk, Chakrabarti encouraged students to delve deeper into AI and work towards developing responsible and reliable AI models that can benefit society. He emphasized that people are not only interested in developing AI but also in ensuring that it can solve real-world problems and be trustworthy. By promoting a responsible and sustainable approach to AI development, Chakrabarti hopes to inspire the next generation of AI researchers and developers to create positive impact in the world.
Ultimately, Chakrabarti’s talk highlighted the need for a balanced approach to AI development, one that takes into account both the opportunities and challenges associated with this powerful technology. By prioritizing responsibility, sustainability, and social sustainability, we can ensure that AI is used to benefit society and drive positive change. As Chakrabarti concluded, “People are interested in whether AI can actually solve the purpose and be reliable?” This question underscores the importance of responsible AI development and the need for ongoing research and innovation in this field.