Two days national seminar at Valbhaipur
Government Arts College, Valbhipur (19-20 January 2025)
I had the privilege of attending a two-day national seminar organized by Government Arts College, Valbhipur, on January 19–20, 2025. The seminar centered on "AI: Learning, Opportunities, and Challenges" and featured renowned experts like Dilip Barad, Nigam Dave,Dr.Rakesh Damir sir and Dr. Mahesh Jivani. Not only did I attend the sessions, but I also presented a paper, making this experience even more enriching.
Day 1: January 19, 2025
I traveled to Valbhipur by bus, reaching at 6:45 AM. My friend and I walked to the college, arriving by 8:30 AM. After a delightful breakfast, the seminar began at 10:00 AM with Kavisha Ma’am as the anchor.
First Speaker: Dilip Barad
Dilip Barad Sir opened the seminar by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of AI. He highlighted that AI is a boon for rural areas and libraries but cautioned against blindly accepting everything AI suggests. "AI is a reflection of ourselves; it can mislead if we fail to filter information wisely," he emphasized. He also referenced Thomas Friedman’s book The World is Flat and spoke about the "Hierarchy of Knowledge," stating, “Where there is the internet, there is knowledge.”
Sir delved into ancient philosophy, narrating a story about a king who claimed omniscience—an illusion of knowledge. He said, “What is spoken may approach truth, but it is not absolute.” He stressed the importance of asking relevant questions and understanding contemporary needs. Lastly, he discussed Noam Chomsky, an American scholar and linguist, quoting, “Sometimes, answers from AI are unacceptable; we must use discretion.”
Second Speaker: Nigam Dave
Nigam Dave Sir referenced Thomas Friedman’s Thank You for Being Late and called AI “the eye of the hurricane.” He discussed the six stages of civilization:
1. Physical Chemistry
2. Biology and DNA
3. Brain
4. Technology
5. Human-Technology Interaction
6. Singularity
He remarked, “First we build tools, then tools build us.” AI, he explained, began in 1950 and has since become both a friend and a spy, knowing intricate details about us. He called the calculator a “weapon of mathematical destruction” and discussed AI's limitations, such as lack of context, false information, and biases, as well as its advantages, like speed and innovation.
Rakesh Damir sir
After his session, we enjoyed a delicious lunch. The post-lunch session discussed the broader definition of AI, extending beyond tools like ChatGPT to include keyboards, CPUs, and projectors.
Paper Presentation
At 4:00 PM, the paper presentation session began. My topic was "The History of Computer Ethics". Although technical issues initially disrupted my presentation, I managed to deliver it effectively and received appreciation from many attendees.
Cultural Activities
At 6:30 PM, the college hosted vibrant cultural activities that included:
Garba
Ghumar
Civelry song
Script (Taza khabar)
Famous quote " बाकी सब ठीक बस सल रहा है। "
(with themes like caste issues, unemployment, and education costs)
Mime Performances
Bollywood songs (Hare Krishna Hare Ram)
Lakdi Raas