Pramesh S Jain
*Minister urges students and universities to harness Artificial Intelligence responsibly to solve real-world challenges.
*Calls on institutions to prioritise research,innovation and strong fundamentals as Karnataka strengthens its AI ecosystem
Artificial Intelligence must become a force multiplier in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home Affairs,Information Technology & Biotechnology and E-Governance,Government of Karnataka,said today while inaugurating the International Conference on“Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Advance Sustainable Development Goals,” organised by the Wolverhampton–Bengaluru Centre for Research & Innovation (1WBCR&I).
Addressing researchers,academicians,industry leaders and students,the Minister called for the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence to accelerate sustainable development,create meaningful social impact and equip the next generation of innovators to solve real-world challenges.
Referring to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,Kharge said that while the global community had committed itself to eliminating poverty, improving healthcare,ensuring quality education, reducing inequality and addressing climate change, significant gaps remain.
He said Artificial Intelligence presents an unprecedented opportunity to bridge these gaps,provided it is deployed responsibly and with a clear focus on improving people’s lives.
“Artificial Intelligence is not a saviour.It has no conscience,no courage and no compassion.But in the hands of people who possess conscience,courage and compassion,it becomes a force multiplier.
The real question before us is not whether AI can solve our problems,but whether we will use it responsibly to solve the challenges that matter most.”
“As we work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,technology must always
remain human-centric.
AI should empower doctors to save lives,farmers to improve productivity,governments to serve citizens better,and young innovators to build solutions that create meaningful impact.That is the future we must strive towards.”He added.
The Minister outlined Karnataka’s vision for leveraging Artificial Intelligence to advance sustainable development,highlighting the following priorities:
*AI must become a force multiplier in accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals.
*Students must build strong fundamentals,scientific temper and critical thinking alongside AI skills to become future-ready innovators.
*Universities should prioritise research,innovation, entrepreneurship and employability over infrastructure, preparing students to become innovators and problem-solvers capable of addressing global challenges.
*AI can transform healthcare through early disease detection,affordable diagnostics and improved access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
*AI can strengthen agriculture through satellite imagery, weather intelligence and predictive
analytics,helping farmers improve productivity, optimise resources and prepare for climate-related challenges.
*AI has the potential to transform education and governance,making learning more accessible
while enabling smarter,faster and more citizen-centric public service delivery.
*Governments should become the first customer for innovation,enabling startups,researchers
and young innovators to develop AI-driven solutions that address real societal challenges.
*Karnataka continues to strengthen its AI ecosystem through deep-tech innovation,startup
support,skilling initiatives,research partnerships and..
