Equip yourselves with skills necessary for the changing world, expert urges students at AI seminar

KSNUAHS vice-chancellor M.V. Dhananjaya inaugurating the seminar at Government First Grade College at Holehonnur in Bhadravathi taluk on Wednesday.

Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences Vice-Chancellor M.V. Dhananjaya has asked students to equip themselves with industry-relevant skills alongside academic knowledge to improve their employability.

He was speaking after inaugurating a one-day multidisciplinary international seminar on ‘Artificial Intelligence and Society’, organised by the Government First Grade College at Holehonnur in Shivamogga district, on Wednesday.

Pointing to the growing application of artificial intelligence (AI), Mr. Dhananjaya said the technology had made inroads into almost every sector, including agriculture. The national agricultural research system had also begun harnessing AI for various applications.

Agriculture accounted for nearly 41% of the country’s workforce, with about 141 million small landholders depending on the sector for their livelihood. Technological interventions, including precision application of fertilisers and data-driven farming, could help improve agricultural productivity and resource utilisation, he said.

Referring to the digital infrastructure created for agriculture, he noted that several corporate companies were developing technology-based solutions for the sector. Students needed to understand these developments and acquire the skills required to make effective use of emerging technologies.

Mr. Dhananjaya expressed concern over the gap between the skills imparted by educational institutions and those expected by industry. Despite a large number of graduates entering the job market, many struggled to secure employment because they lacked the necessary skills.

Referring to the National Education Policy introduced in 2020, he called for greater collaboration among departments and institutions. Universities should begin by strengthening networking within their own departments and making effective use of the infrastructure already available before exploring external partnerships.

Emphasising entrepreneurship, he urged students to prepare themselves to become job providers rather than merely job seekers. Several funding opportunities were available to support innovation, entrepreneurship and skill development, and students should learn how to access them.

Delivering the keynote address, Praveen G. Saptarshi, visiting professor at Salisbury University in the United States, said artificial intelligence should address real-world problems rather than become an instrument in the hands of those in power and capitalists. Expressing concern over current developments in AI, he said society needed to intervene to ensure that knowledge gained through human experience received due importance in the age of artificial intelligence.

Prashanth Jayaram, a senior technologist in the United States, said AI had made life easier. However, people should move beyond relying on ready-made answers and develop the ability to find creative solutions to problems.

Basavaraj N. Jagadale, head of the Department of Electronics at Kuvempu University, college principal Pratibha K.R., seminar organising secretary Chayashree K, seminar coordinator Nagaraj Naik S. and others were present. Many research scholars from Karnataka and outside participated in the conference.