Expert for artificial intelligence ministry

Kochi: Roshy John, global head of robotics and cognitive systems at TCS, has submitted a representation to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking a separate ministry for artificial intelligence in the state.  

Speaking to the Chief Minister on the sidelines of the Professional Students Summit at Cochin University of Science Technology, he said that lack of any meaningful allocation for AI in the Union and state budgets for 2019-20 is a setback.

Countries all over the world are setting up separate ministries for artificial intelligence, he said, and pointed out that UAE has a separate minister in the matter. “Kerala should not remain a step behind in the matter”, Mr. John said. Nearly 70 per cent of the jobs in the coming years will be based on artificial intelligence and policy makers will have to create the right environment to switch over to such a system without much social instability, he pointed out. The Union government is still in the process of considering setting up National Centre for Artificial Intelligence. Kerala instead of waiting should take a lead in the matter, Mr John said.