Experts stress AI skills amid technological shift

Srinagar, Oct 24: Experts at the University of Kashmir have stressed the need for people to upgrade their skills and adapt to emerging technologies as Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes education, employment, creativity and communication. The observations were made during a two-day National Seminar-cum-Workshop titled “Artificial Intelligence, Creativity and Content Generation: Opportunities and Challenges of a New Tomorrow”, organised jointly by the Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC), New Delhi, and the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC), University of Kashmir, on October 21 and 22. The deliberations focused on the growing role of AI, the need for responsible adoption of the technology, and the importance of critical thinking, effective communication and continuous skill development. Director EMRC, Prof Syeda Afshana, said AI imitates human intelligence and emphasised that its future should not be shaped by technologists alone. Educators, researchers and scholars also have an important role in determining how the technology develops and is used, she said. Registrar, University of Kashmir, Prof Naseer Iqbal, observed that challenges posed by AI could also create new opportunities, adding that the education system was responding to the emerging technological landscape. Delivering the keynote address, Director CEC, New Delhi, Prof Parikshat Singh Manhas, said AI should not be viewed merely as a threat to employment, but also as a technology capable of generating new opportunities. He stressed that people who learn to use AI effectively would be better positioned in the future job market. Effective prompting, clear thinking and strong communication skills, he said, would be essential to improving productivity and completing tasks with fewer resources. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Prof Nilofer Khan, said AI had significance for humanity as a whole and could simplify complex educational concepts and help address everyday challenges. On the first day, Director EMRC, University of Calicut, Dr Damodar Prasad, described AI as a paradigm shift with significant implications for learning and professional development. Dr Asif Assad of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) introduced participants to locally developed AI tools and chatbots, including PashmNet and RiceNet, highlighting their potential to address local needs. Prof Umesh Arya of Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Haryana, said AI differed from earlier technologies because of its ability to perform tasks associated with human thinking. He noted that its impact on employment could vary across countries depending on workforce skills. On the second day, Dr Archana Kumari of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) discussed concerns about AI replacing human workers and cautioned against growing dependence on algorithms at the expense of human judgement. The legal implications of AI-generated content were discussed by Dr Mir Junaid Alam of the Department of Law, University of Kashmir, who highlighted complex questions concerning copyright, authorship and ownership. Dr Jatinder Jit Kour, Senior Producer at EMPC, IGNOU, stressed the judicious use of technology, noting that the quality of AI-generated responses depends significantly on the user's understanding and ability to frame prompts. Dr Bilal Ahmad Malik of the University of Kashmir discussed emerging regulatory concerns surrounding AI users and AI-generated products, underlining the need for appropriate legal frameworks. During the valedictory session, academicians, media professionals and researchers reflected on the implications of AI for education and creative practices. Shafqat Habib, Senior Producer, EMRC, University of Kashmir, spoke about AI's transformative impact on society, while Prof Tariq Ahmad Chisti, Dean, School of Open Learning, and Prof M Tariq Banday, Dean, School of Engineering, stressed the need for educational institutions to adapt to technological advancements. Delivering the valedictory address, Prof Sharief-ud-din Pirzada, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Kashmir, emphasised the importance of engaging with emerging technologies in higher education and equipping educators and learners to navigate an increasingly AI-enabled environment. The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates among participants and resource persons. The organisers reiterated their commitment to promoting capacity-building, innovation and technology-enabled learning.