International Conference Organised at Shri Guru Ram Rai University

A one-day International Conference on “AI-Enabled Governance and Sustainable Development” was organised on Friday by the School of Management, Shri Guru Ram Rai University (SGRRU). Held at the School of Basic and Applied Sciences Auditorium of SGRRU, the conference brought together experts from India and abroad for detailed discussions on the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence, improved governance and the possibilities of sustainable development.

Experts emphasised that Artificial Intelligence can make governance more transparent, efficient and people-centric. However, they stressed that technological advancement must go hand in hand with the preservation of cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and human values.

The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Anirban Chakraborty, Professor, School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; Prof. Dr. Rajat Agrawal, Department of Management, Roorkee; Dr. Pooja Jain, Dean, School of Management and Commerce Studies; Dr. Divya Verma; Dr. Monika Bhangari; Isha Sharma; Dr. Vinci Pothan; and Dr. Vinay Rana, who jointly lit the ceremonial lamp.

Addressing the gathering, the speakers said that Artificial Intelligence is no longer confined to the technology sector. Its impact is increasingly visible across education, healthcare, administration, agriculture, industry and various areas of social development.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Balram Singh, Professor and Director, Botulinum Research Centre, Institute of Advanced Sciences, USA, addressed the participants online from the United States. He said that AI-based technologies can play a significant role in governance by enabling scientific analysis of available data, facilitating better decision-making, ensuring effective utilisation of resources and making citizen services more accessible.

Dr. Singh further emphasised the importance of remembering India’s knowledge traditions in the age of AI. He said that Ayurveda and the Upanishads contain several important principles related to human life, nature, balance and holistic development. Technology, he added, should not be aimed merely at improving efficiency but should ultimately contribute to human welfare and the overall development of society.

Dr. Anirban Chakraborty said that AI-enabled governance could become an important foundation of the administrative system of the future. Data-driven decision-making can make policies more effective and improve the reach of government services. At the same time, he stressed that data security, transparency, accountability and a human-centric approach must remain priorities. He said technology can deliver its true benefits only when its advantages reach every section of society equally and make the development process more inclusive.

Prof. Dr. Rajat Agrawal said that AI-enabled governance can help accelerate and improve administrative processes while also facilitating better management of resources. He emphasised that sustainable development is not the sole responsibility of governments; educational institutions, industries, research organisations and society must participate equally in the process. Reducing poverty, creating more employment opportunities, ensuring quality education and addressing social inequalities are important steps towards achieving sustainable development.