AI for Good: Highlights from the Inaugural All About AI Tech4Good Awards 2024
At Mumbai’s Jio World Centre on November 27, 2024, the highlight was on innovation and influence as Mint’s All About AI Tech4Good Awards made its debut. Sponsored by Salesforce, this occasion was greater than an award ceremony—it was a testomony to how synthetic intelligence (AI) can reshape lives, resolve entrenched societal issues, and produce hope to underserved communities.
The awards weren’t nearly recognising cutting-edge tech; they have been about celebrating the human tales behind it. With over 128 entries spanning industries and initiatives, the competitors shone a lightweight on path breakers who aren’t simply innovating for revenue however for the planet, and its individuals. Greater than 160 trade leaders gathered to witness this transformative showcase, whereas an astounding12,000 members joined through livestream, reflecting the worldwide resonance of AI for social good. Watch the awards summit beneath,
AI for Social Good in India: Pioneering Change
India, residence to over 1.4 billion individuals, is uniquely poised to guide the AI-for-good motion. From the plush fields of Punjab to the bustling metropolises, AI is already leaving its mark. Whether or not it’s predictive analytics empowering farmers to optimise yields or AI-driven diagnostic instruments revolutionising healthcare entry in distant villages, expertise is turning into an enabler of equitable progress.
Nevertheless, this progress doesn’t come with out challenges. Moral issues, information privateness, and inclusivity should stay on the forefront as AI integrates into every day life. The All About AI Tech4Good Awards addressed these points head-on, celebrating improvements that not solely drive outcomes but additionally champion accountable practices.
A Fireplace Chat on AI’s Transformative Energy
The night’s highlights included a fascinating hearth chat that includes two trade stalwarts, Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairperson and CEO of Salesforce India and Dr. Shailesh Kumar, Chief Knowledge Scientist at Reliance Jio.
Dr. Kumar, with over 20 years of experience throughout tech giants like Google and Microsoft, shared how AI is turning into a lifeline in sectors like public welfare and training. From predictive healthcare fashions to AI-powered instruments bridging literacy gaps, his insights painted a future the place AI is integral to fixing India’s—and the world’s—most advanced challenges.
In the meantime, Bhattacharya introduced a human-centred lens to the dialogue. “AI’s potential lies not simply in automation however in amplifying human capabilities,” she emphasised. She recounted Salesforce’s initiatives in creating equitable entry to training and fostering innovation amongst underrepresented teams. Their phrases weren’t simply inspiring however actionable, leaving the viewers geared up with concepts on harnessing AI ethically and inclusively.
Accountable AI: Conserving People within the Loop
As AI turns into extra pervasive, guaranteeing its moral use is paramount. This sentiment resonated deeply within the panel dialogue, titled “Accountable AI: Conserving People within the Loop”, moderated by Mint’s Senior Affiliate Editor,Leslie D’Monte.
The panel featured a powerful lineup of change makers:
- Pratap Raju, Founding father of Local weather Collective, highlighted how AI is revolutionising environmental conservation, from predicting deforestation to optimising renewable power techniques.
- Sathya Prathipati, Senior Accomplice at McKinsey, delved into the enterprise implications of AI, emphasising its function in driving company accountability.
- Becky Ferguson, CEO of Salesforce Basis, make clear utilizing AI to scale philanthropic efforts, guaranteeing no neighborhood is left behind.
- Akhil Agrawal, Head of Impression at Educate Ladies, shared real-world examples of AI enabling entry to training for marginalised teams.
The dialogue underscored the essential want for AI techniques to enhance—not change—human ingenuity. As Ferguson aptly put it, “AI ought to empower humanity, not overshadow it.”
A Visionary Keynote: Harsh Mariwala
The night’s keynote speaker, Harsh Mariwala, Founder and Chairman of Marico, took the stage with a easy but highly effective message: innovation is meaningless with out objective.
Drawing from his work with the Marico Innovation Basis, Mariwala shared how scalable options can remodel sectors like agriculture and healthcare. One memorable anecdote from his speech was about farmers utilizing AI-driven instruments to foretell monsoons and optimise water utilization—a life-changing innovation in drought-prone areas.
Mariwala’s insights on mentorship, sustainability, and purpose-driven innovation resonated with the viewers, reminding them that expertise’s final aim is to raised human lives.
Celebrating AI’s Actual Impression
The winners of the All About AI Tech4Good Awards 2024 embodied the spirit of AI for social good. From startups revolutionising aquaculture to platforms enabling equitable training, their work demonstrated AI’s huge potential:
- Aquaconnect (Gold, Agriculture): Leveraging predictive analytics for sustainable fish farming.
- Taypro (Gold, Atmosphere): Innovating waterless robots for photo voltaic panel cleansing, conserving valuable assets.
- AIIMS (Gold, Well being): Pioneering early most cancers detection with its Ioncology.ai platform.
- Embibe (Gold, Training): Creating personalised studying paths for educational success.
- Sarvm AI (Gold, Social Fairness): Empowering nano-businesses with accessible instruments to spice up effectivity.
These innovators aren’t simply pushing technological boundaries; they’re redefining what AI can obtain for humanity.
Why It Issues
TheAll About AI Tech4Good Awards exemplify the assumption that expertise is a drive for good. In a world grappling with environmental crises, healthcare disparities, and academic gaps, AI gives a beacon of hope.
India, with its vibrant tech ecosystem and immense societal wants, is uniquely positioned to guide this modification. As these awards reveal, the journey has already begun, powered by visionaries who dare to dream of a greater future.
Because the night time concluded with a full of life networking dinner, one factor was clear: the dialog round AI for good had solely simply begun. With innovation and accountability guiding the best way, the probabilities are boundless.