Pre-conference workshop on Applied Artificial Intelligence held at CUKashmir

Ganderbal: The pre-conference workshop on Artificial Intelligence, organized by the Department of Information Technology at the Central University of Kashmir in collaboration with the University of South Dakota, served as a precursor to the International Conference on Applied Artificial Intelligence (2AI–2026) scheduled for June 18–19, 2026.
The event highlighted the growing significance of AI in modern life and education, with Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Shahid Rasool, emphasizing the necessity of integrating AI across various disciplines. He noted that while new technologies may evoke concerns, they also present opportunities for employment and national development, particularly in the context of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. Prof. R. S. Hegadi from the Central University of Karnataka underscored the role of conferences in facilitating knowledge transfer to emerging researchers, while also acknowledging the substantial interest in 2AI–2026, which has attracted numerous high-quality research submissions. He asserted that AI will impact all facets of human life, necessitating a skilled workforce to responsibly leverage its potential. Mr. Naseer Butt from Microsoft characterized the current era as transformative, with AI reshaping industries and enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing creativity. Dr. Debasmita Ghosh Roy from Poornima University addressed the ethical and practical aspects of AI, stressing the importance of understanding AI systems’ mechanisms and the need for responsible usage, particularly in sensitive sectors like healthcare. She cautioned against the uncritical adoption of generative AI tools, highlighting issues such as model bias and prompt engineering. The workshop aimed to foster discussions on AI-enabled innovation, ethical challenges, and the future of AI-driven societies, with proceedings set to be indexed in Scopus. The event concluded with technical sessions featuring presentations alongside participation from various academic leaders and students.