For the community’s youth, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging field with tremendous potential. Aspirants need to be relatively good in maths, statistics and programing language. The largest tech company in India, the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), is constantly innovating to remain ahead in the race.
The managements of community owned and run educational institutions could upgrade, innovate and integrate AI with regular education by introducing specialized courses in AI. Community trusts could prioritize funding aspirants to pursue courses in core AI, machine learning concepts and practical applications.
The World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce and similar community organizations could initially undertake a campaign for awareness, opportunities and guidance in AI and subsequently have internship programs for hands- on experience in projects at the entry level. They may also consider direct funding or through angel investors to foster talent.
Having considered the pros and cons of AI and human intelligence we should not lose sight of divine intelligence which guides us in everything we do. The prized faculty to think intelligently enables us to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad and ultimately make a choice and be responsible for its consequences.
Technology, which has penetrated every field to make our lives comfortable, is a double-edged sword. It can harm as well as benefit us if not used with the necessary safeguards. We are paying a heavy price by way of environment degradation and global warming due to rampant development of technology without safeguards. That is why Ahura Mazda has equipped us with the quality of intellect, buddhi. Knowledge and intelligence are the ingredients for innovation. Intellect and wisdom will guide us where, how and how much to use it for the benefit of all. Our scriptures, especially the Gathas, are replete with references encouraging us to use wisdom through divine intelligence.
Anand Mahindra, chairman of Tech Mahindra, recently summed up AI as "a brilliant child prodigy born in a library with access to the entire world’s knowledge and an extraordinary capacity to collate and apply it. But like all prodigies it needs to be nurtured and guided to achieve its full potential for good.”
KERSI LIMATHWALLA
klimath@gmail.com