Varsities in Kerala and UK sign pact to open Centre for AI

Kochi / July 11, 2024

Kochi, July 11: Digital University Kerala entered into a milestone agreement today with the Alan Turing Institute under the University of Edinburgh to establish a Centre for Artificial Intelligence at the Digital Science Park in the state.

The MoU, which was exchanged at the International Conclave on Generative Artificial Intelligence in the city, marks a significant stride in advancing AI research and development between the two institutions, particularly with the advent of foundation models, AI hardware, robotics and GenAI.

At the Grand Hyatt in the presence of Industries Minister Shri P. Rajeeve, Digital University Dean Alex James exchanged the MoU with Sethu Vijayakumar, who is Director for Robotoics and AI at Alan Turing Institute and Chair Professor at School of Informatics at University of Edinburgh. Present on the occasion were Principal Secretary (Industries) A.P.M. Mohmmed Hanish, Digital University Kerala Vice Chancellor Saji Gopinath and Edinburgh University Director (South Asia) Athulya Aravind.

The proposed Centre for Artificial Intelligence aims to foster innovation and research in AI, leveraging the expertise of Alan Turing Institute, coupled with the strengths of Digital University Kerala in AI chips and hardware. The Centre will focus on the latest advancements in AI and robotics, including generative AI, which is expected to drive AI adoption, offer unmatched scalability, and adapt to new scenarios and use cases.

The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing AI research and development, as the Centre for AI at Digital Science Park will be a hub for cutting-edge research, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth in the region.

Earlier in his talk at the Conclave, Prof Vijayakumar said AI does not merit use in “every sector”. The technology can be best employed in conditions that can be dangerous for human beings, thus enabling them to remote-control in the “comforts of home”, he said while presenting the latest perspective on AI as an expanding discipline.

Among initiatives that can make use of GenAI are decommissioning of atomic centres, relief in calamity-hit areas, space exploration, healthcare and aviation, the speaker said in his 30-minute presentation on ‘AI in Robotics and Applications’.

Citing three scientific challenges that remain “underlying open” in AI, Prof Vijayakumar said there was often a lack of depth in understanding the limitations and vulnerabilities of deployed systems. Quoting British science-fiction writer Arthur C Clarke, Vijayakumar said, “We tend to overestimate technology in the short term and underestimate technology in the long term.”

While the 1852-founded University of Edinburgh is one of the world's leading research universities with focus on research, teaching and innovation, Alan Turing is the UK’s national institute for data science and AI,  collaborating with universities, businesses and public institutions to advance the world-changing potential of data science and AI.

Digital University Kerala, as an initiative of the state government, seeks to promote digital innovation and entrepreneurship by providing world-class education and research opportunities in digital technologies and their applications.

The two days of deliberations feature 17 sessions in total and will conclude on Friday evening.