The School of Computer Science & IT (SCSIT), JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), in association with Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal, Karnataka, Dakshina, organized a Panel Discussion on “AI & Society — Charting Ethical, Policy and Research Pathways” on 18th August 2025 at the University’s Jayanagar Campus. The program brought together academics, researchers, and industry professionals to reflect on the opportunities and challenges of Artificial Intelligence in shaping our future. The event saw the participation of more than 250 students, faculty members, and industry experts from Bengaluru and other states.

Inaugural and Keynote Addresses

The session began with an inaugural address by Dr. Shradha Kanwar, Chief Academic Officer, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), who highlighted the importance of nurturing responsible AI practices and integrating ethics into education and research. She stressed that academic institutions must take the lead in shaping a society where technology serves humanity.

This was followed by a keynote by Prof. Satish V. Kailas, IISc Bengaluru, who spoke on the transformative role of AI. He emphasized that while AI offers immense possibilities, it must be approached with a balance between technological growth and human well-being. He encouraged students to look beyond algorithms and think about fairness, ethics, and long-term societal impact.

Panel Discussion – Insights from Experts

The discussion was moderated by Prof. Y. Narahari, IISc Bengaluru, and brought together diverse perspectives from panelists:

• Dr. Pradipta Biswas (IISc Bengaluru) spoke on the scope of AI in the Indian context. He highlighted how AI in pattern recognition can change industries and even assist humans in laboratory work, making processes faster and more accurate.
• Mr. Subhash Thakur (Accion Labs, Bengaluru) discussed the rise of AI-powered assistants such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot. He emphasized how AI can be customized to meet human needs and how these tools are becoming essential partners in day-to-day professional tasks.
• Ms. Neha Singh (Mercedes Benz R&D, Bengaluru) explained how AI naturally leads to data science-driven solutions. She highlighted that AI can improve customer services, enhance daily life problem-solving, and bring efficiency across industries when used responsibly.
• Dr. Sagar Gulati (Director, School of CS & IT, JAIN) focused on the role of AI in agriculture. He explained how AI can support farmers in crop monitoring, yield prediction, and sustainable farming practices. He also stressed that academia must prepare students to research and apply AI responsibly, creating long-term impact in sectors like food security and rural development.

Q&A Highlights and Conclusion

The Q&A session saw participants raise thought-provoking questions such as: Can autonomous AI systems take critical decisions responsibly? Can censorship and restrictions affect AI’s progress in reducing carbon footprint? How can vegetables be grown with less soil? What are the biggest challenges in AI? Could AI become dangerous and threaten fairness, safety, and equality in society?

Panellists responded with practical and ethical perspectives, reminding participants that while AI is powerful, its progress depends on human responsibility and oversight. The final conclusion emphasized that M-PARIS AI tools and AI-powered assistants are becoming friendly and supportive, presenting tremendous opportunities while also bringing challenges. The panel underlined that the key lies in the “aware use” of AI — adopting it responsibly, preparing for the future, and ensuring it is applied in ways that benefit humanity.

The event closed with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. K. Suneetha, Professor & Head, CSIT, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University). In her closing remarks, she expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, panel members, participants, and the organizing teams of SCSIT and Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal for making the discussion meaningful and impactful. The program concluded on a positive note of collaboration, innovation, and collective responsibility in advancing AI for societal good.