NIT Srinagar hosts AI Pre-Summit 2026 to explore AI for Rural Dev

Srinagar : The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Saturday hosted the AI Pre-Summit 2026, focusing on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in rural development.
The one-day hybrid event was conducted at HiTech-5, attracting over 140 participants both in-person and online, as part of the AI IMPACT SUMMIT – 2026 scheduled for February 2026 in India. The event was patronized by Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, Director NIT Srinagar, with Prof. Roohie Naaz Mir serving as Co-Patron. The organizing committee was led by Dr. Shabir Ahmad Sofi, Head of the IT Department, and the inauguration was officiated by Prof. Roohie Naaz Mir, alongside Registrar Prof. Atiqur Rehman. During her address, Prof. Roohie emphasized the significant impact of artificial intelligence on the future of India, particularly in rural regions of Jammu and Kashmir. She encouraged students to pursue AI as a research field and career path, commending the IT Department for spearheading AI initiatives at NIT Srinagar. Prof. Atiqur Rahman highlighted the necessity of implementing AI for sustainable rural development, noting that such initiatives empower students and researchers to create solutions for pressing challenges in agriculture and healthcare. Dr. Shabir Ahmad Sofi expressed appreciation for the support from the institute’s administration and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of faculty and staff in organizing the summit. The event underscored the potential of AI in enhancing rural development and the institute’s dedication to connecting research with practical applications. The summit featured expert-led sessions, including Dr. Sofi’s presentation on “AI System Design for Rural Development,” which focused on deploying AI systems to tackle rural issues. Dr. Saniya Zahoor followed with a session on “AI in Rural Agriculture,” discussing disease prediction and prevention in Kashmir’s apple crops. Afternoon sessions addressed the “Role of AI in Improving Healthcare in J&K,” presented by Mir Yusuf and Aaqib Zahoor, which explored AI-driven healthcare solutions for rural communities. Technical support and online registration were managed by Dr. Bisma Gulzar, with assistance from Mr. Aakil Mushtaq from the IT Department.