CM: AI may soon keep tabs on unauthorised constructions

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 15

Himachal could tread into the arena of optimum utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) to check unauthorised constructions, illegal mining and felling of trees as part of its good governance initiatives.

This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur at a workshop on “Artificial Intelligence: Potential Applications in Himachal Pradesh” organized by the State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, here on Tuesday. “The fact that illegal constructions were raised in violation of the norms and no action was taken by the officials responsible for checking it has raised several questions and I feel we can make good use of artificial intelligence in all such areas,” he said.

He said artificial intelligence not only had tremendous economic potential but also social impact and it could also play a vital role in improving quality of life. The state government would ensure its optimum use for effective, transparent, responsive and good governance to the people.

He said that artificial intelligence and technology could also be helpful in forest mapping to check illegal forest felling. Artificial intelligence could also help in monitoring of ongoing developmental projects to ensure their timely completion. “However, I want that our keenness on artificial intelligence should not just be confined to workshops and discussions but should be adopted and translated into action,” he stressed.

Minister of Health, Science and Technology Vipin Singh Parmar said artificial intelligence was emerging as a technique for better knowledge and learning. This could help in better results for a better tomorrow. Chairperson, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Madras, and Chairperson, Artificial Intelligence Task Force Prof V. Kamakoti, said the artificial intelligence was poised towards economic transformation in the next few years. “The gaps in services can be addressed very effectively with the use of AI especially in areas like tourism, forest and health sectors,” said Prof Kamakoti.

He said Himachal could effectively make use of artificial intelligence to monitor the progress of its ongoing projects, ranging from construction of roads to afforestation. In the next five years advisory solutions, healthcare, IT services, BPO, etc, could emerge as major job creator due to use of artificial intelligence in these areas.

Director, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi Dr Anurag Aggarwal gave a detailed presentation on artificial intelligence and human intelligence. He said that artificial intelligence can also play a key role in the field of medicine since medical knowledge was expanding with the expansion of artificial intelligence.

Director, CSIR, Central Electronic Engineering Research Institute Pilani, Rajasthan DR Santanu Chaudhary gave presentation on “Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive Progress.”