The ‘AI Manthan-2026’ workshop at Lucknow’s AKTU drew to a close with Governor Anandiben Patel championing AI as higher education’s game-changer. Her insights at the finale blended optimism with cautionary wisdom.
Adapting to AI is vital amid accelerating global shifts, she said, enabling smarter use of time and assets. AI can infuse accuracy and accountability into learning, innovation, testing, and management, yet demands vigilant oversight.
Patel advocated inspiring youth toward moral AI engagement, with firm deterrents for abuse. She pressed for astute budgeting: universities should craft actionable projects to clinch funds from Delhi and state coffers.
State universities hold vast research promise, amplifiable by AI in translations, holistic research, and challenge resolution. Emphasizing collaboration and focus, she targeted AI-driven education for the needy and resourceless.
Positioning AI for broad social empowerment ensures equitable tech reach. Authentic academic relationships remain sacrosanct. Experts echoed AI’s current must-have status and future-defining trajectory.
In-depth talks covered AI’s imprint on evaluations, question design, hands-on labs, health, research, and bureaucracy. Experts from IBM, IIT Kanpur, IGNOU demystified generative tools, vision AI, sovereign tech, and state initiatives.
Forums hashed out paths to AI-ready compute facilities, educator training, and grant pursuits. Universities touted AI programs, startup ecosystems, and career prep. Dr. Pankaj L. Jani dubbed it education’s watershed moment. Startups got Governor’s accolades amid 3,000+ online connections from 300+ spots.