Ivory Tower: Dr Preeti Kamra’s AI research gains UN spotlight

Dr Preeti Kamra, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at DAV College, Amritsar, has been invited by the United Nations to address its General Assembly on United Nations Digital Cooperation Day, held during the High-Level Week of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. An educator and researcher, Dr Kamra has been extensively working in the fields of emerging digital technologies and internet governance.

Holding a PhD in Artificial Intelligence-based technology, Dr Kamra developed AI software to detect anxiety among students and is currently in the process of documenting and patenting this technology under her name. However, it was her work in Internet governance that earned her the invitation to speak at the UN.

“I have been invited to speak at an exclusive, closed-door event hosted annually by the United Nations, United Nations Digital Cooperation Day, which focuses on emerging technologies worldwide. I will be the only Indian speaker at the event and my speech will focus on policies in India aimed at making the Internet more secure, safe, inclusive, and accessible,” Dr Kamra said. “There is a critical need to make the Internet multilingual, accessible and safe in India, especially with the growing use of AI in the future, making timely action imperative.”

Last year, Dr Kamra participated in the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Internet Governance held in Taiwan. Her research on AI in education secured her a seat at this prestigious UN event. According to her, AI in education should be promoted, contrary to the reservations many educators globally hold.

“Despite NEP 2020 and the Government of India promoting Artificial Intelligence in higher education, few state-level universities, schools, or colleges have adopted it fully. The key is to use AI productively, which requires laws and policies that regulate its usage, while controlling and monitoring potential abuse,” she explained.

The event is scheduled to take place from September 22 to 26 at the United Nations headquarters in the USA.