The conference centered around the exchange of ideas and collaborations for Innovation by bridging the divide between the technical and the non-technical worlds. The O2H Innovation Conference 2019 brought together innovators from diverse fields, communities and backgrounds to exchange ideas. Ranging from technology leaders, academicians, design thinkers, performers to entrepreneurs, scientists and programmers to facilitate Innovation!

1. "Optimistic about AI”: Dr. Nilesh Modi At O2H
Innovation Conference 2019
Dr. Nilesh Modi, Vice President of Technology & Innovation at Cygnet Infotech,
Ahmedabad, served on the panel for ‘Artificial Intelligence - Where Next?’ during the
second O2H Innovation Conference moderated by Mr. Prashant Shah, co -founder, O2H,
held on 14th March, 2019 at Courtyard Marriott, Ahmedabad.
He served alongside other esteemed panelists from diverse fields and specializations
including Mr. Amit Saraswat, Director - ML & AI, Fidelity Investments, Dr. M Muruganant,
Executive President & Vice Chancellor, Indus University, Mr. Mark Warne, CEO and
Director, DeepMatter Group plc and Mr. Yamin Lawar, Full Stack Developer, O2H.
The conference centered around the exchange of ideas and collaborations for Innovation
by bridging the divide between the technical and the non -technical worlds. The O2H
Innovation Conference 2019 brought together innovators from diverse fields, communities
and backgrounds to exchange ideas. Ranging from technology leaders, academicians,
design thinkers, performers to entrepreneurs, scientists and programmers to facilitate
Innovation!
The discussion started off simplifying the most commonly used yet misunderstood terms
such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Algorithms, Neural Networks and Deep
Learning. Setting the tone for the rest of the conference, Dr. Modi and Mr. Saraswat
asserted the need to understand that these emerging technologies go beyond one line
definitions because of their wide application in diverse fields.

2. Machine Learning has existed since decades, we have already had, basic Machine
Intelligence, ‘Audio, Video’ and the term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ had been coined during
the mid-50s. The evolution of Artificial Intelligence that we see today is the larger
manifestation and sophistication of the ‘good old Machine Learning’.
However, as Dr. Modi, pointed out, human beings are capable of creating miracles like
climbing Mount Everest, for instance. It is the transfe r of this intelligence and
consciousness into a machine through bridging the gap between human and machine
intelligence that Artificial Intelligence is all about.
Mr. Shah posed a question to the panel, “How realistic it is to expect AI to mimic a human
brain’s intelligence considering that tech giants like Google are investing billions of dollars
into ‘Deep Minds’?
Mr. Warne believed that it lets one analyze more data, logic, handle more data than you
could usually handle in a shorter time. Mr. Lawar belie ved that AI is getting the buzz it is
since these couple of years due to easy access to hardware such as ‘GPUs’ that can
support AI function with ease which wasn’t possible earlier. In addition, the availability
and access to huge chunks of data such as those stored on clouds is making it easier for
AI powered algorithms to do their work. Moreover, algorithms too have got better. That’s
what’s empowering AI innovation such as ‘Sophia’. AI has a realistic future.
Dr. Muruganant who specializes in making predictive patterns as an academician shared
that our exploration into AI has been limited which is why we are extrapolating what we
know, which was still much limited exploration into AI. There will be more exploration into
human systems. We can only crash the numbers we know but exploration beyond what
we know still needs to be done.

3. Carrying this forward, Dr. Modi highlighted the fact that AI has already been integrated
into our daily lives. We are living in the era of AI already – on our smartphones and in our
daily lives. He envisions a future where AI empowers us through the larger augmentation
of human behavior and skills. For instance, Cygnet has created a project for a metro city
government in South East Asia where a robust AI powered system is assistin g the
bridging of the gap between the demand and supply of transportation systems.
“Soft Bank CEO, Masayoshi Son believes that AI will have the IQ of 10,000 by 2047 ”,
Dr. Muruganant pointed out. However, he believed the readiness of hardware available to
make this happen will largely determine whether this will stay on paper or become reality.
The discussions further flowed onto busting the myths surrounding emerging technologies
and their perceived dangers as posed by fiction writers, the movie industry and the larger
world. Dr. Modi believed that Artificial Intelligence is an excellent tool that we need to be
positive about. He shared how using Artificial Intelligence enhances user experience and
creates simple solutions to complex problems.
Other panelists were divided in their opinion as some agreed it was more of an excellent
tool and less of something that we need to worry. Mr. Lawar believed that AI’s potential
when it comes to automating weapons is something the world needs to think about. On
the other hand, Dr. Muruganant believed it is the core problem of any technology, it is as
constructive or as destructive as the one using it – if we develop human value systems
better there will be better application.
Technology powers economies through Innovation. It literally changes the way the world
works by subtly integrating with our daily lives - the power of technology and innovation.
That’s why at Cygnet we believe that ‘IT is about You’.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Modi who leads an emerging technology portfolio including
Blockchain, AI, Machine Learning and IoT at Cygnet Infotech, quoted Artificial
intelligence guru Andrew Ng , ‘’Thinking about how AI will overpower the human race
is just like thinking how we are going to solve the problem of overpopulation on
Mars.” Tweet This
There will be regulatory concerns in the future but he is largely optimistic about AI since
it will augment a lot of our capabilities and make our lives easier.
On the social front when it came to AI taking away jobs, Mr. Saraswat said, “AI is likely to
eat away repetitive technical jobs and may make several jobs irrelevant. However, several
other niche jobs will come up. It will take away jobs but also create them.”
Taking the point forward Dr. Modi suggested that in spite of machines manufacturing
Sarees there is still enough demand of handmade Sarees. Self -driving cars are the future
but some people will always prefer human driven cars.
The room was then opened to the emergence of exciting applications using AI. Mr.
Saraswat believed that applications powered by AI had been helping investors make
better decisions. On the other hand, Dr. Modi felt that AI will revolutionize healthcare
industry with positive strides in diagnosis and improving healthcare overall. Mr. Wa rne
added that AI will help in reducing healthcare budget for large populations by making
solutions accessible more easily.
Dr. Muruganant shared his insights on using AI for research and business. He believed
AI will be helpful in carrying out research, data aggregation and analysis. In business
operations, it will make overall processes better. Mr. Lawar then brought the discussion
to the role of AI in addressing social issues. He was hopeful that AI will disrupt
agriculture which will empower farmers with better productivity and yield.

4. The panel concluded that there is still much to explore into the realm of Artificial
Intelligence. There will be changes in regulations, social norms, accountability and
people’s tastes and preferences; however, a future where mankind will be subjugated by
machines is unrealistic. In addition, an AI powered future spells progress for economies,
mankind and will assist the human race solve complex social and business problems with
ease.
To know more about how Cygnet Infotech empowers economies and businesses with
Artificial Intelligence powered systems, call us on +1-609-245-0971 or email us
on inquiry@cygnetinfotech.com.