Not enough intelligence for AI: IT Minister Chandrasekhar calls for academic institutions to deliver

On the second day of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) summit in the capital, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, highlighted the imperative for a united effort involving the technology industry, academic institutions, and governments worldwide to shape the emerging wave of talent in artificial intelligence (AI)-related roles. Chandrasekhar underscored that while governments play a role in nurturing talent, the collaboration between industry and academia is crucial to lead the charge towards meeting the future demands of AI-related jobs. “It is clear that there is going to be a huge talent deficit in AI. There is an urgent need for our academic institutions, whether in the UK, Japan or India, to understand this and start delivering the talent that this AI ecosystem will require,” the minister said. He emphasized the urgent need for academic institutions globally, including those in the UK, Japan, and India, to comprehend the looming talent deficit in AI and actively contribute to supplying the necessary workforce for the AI ecosystem. Citing a McKinsey study, Chandrasekhar pointed out the potential economic value of AI tools reaching $26 trillion. However, he highlighted a significant obstacle hindering the full business potential of AI—the shortage of individuals possessing the essential skills and capabilities for AI innovation. The minister specifically addressed the demand for cutting-edge talent in the AI industry, particularly architects and designers proficient in crafting large-language models (LLMs). Chandrasekhar noted that as AI advances, the complexities and required capabilities will increase, necessitating a talent pool at the forefront of building these capabilities. To bridge the talent gap, Chandrasekhar emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts across international academic networks and industries. He stressed the need to realign coursework and curriculum to prepare students for future-ready jobs and equip them with essential skills, steering away from retrospective approaches. The minister’s call for a collective approach seeks to ensure a proactive and coordinated response to the evolving demands of the AI landscape. (With input from agencies)