Gorakhpur: Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran on Wednesday underscored the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, likening its impact on human civilisation to that of the invention of steam engine, during his address at the inauguration of eastern Uttar Pradesh’s first Centre of Excellence at Maharana Pratap Institute of Technology in Gorakhpur.Thanking chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Chandrasekaran said the vision is to put UP at the forefront of the AI revolution. “AI is not just another technology; it will bring transformational shift in next 5–10 years. Just as the steam engine replaced traditional modesof transport like bullock carts and horses, AI will redefine the very infrastructure of intelligence,” he said.He acknowledged that new technologies often trigger fear and uncertainty among people. “Whenever something new emerges, there is a natural tendency to feel anxious. But there is no need to be afraid—AI will transform lives for the better,” he added.Emphasising inclusivity, Chandrasekaran noted that AI must reach the last person in the village. “It is for everyone, and we must ensure widespread awareness and knowledge,” he said. Highlighting its potential, he said AI would create new business opportunities beyond current imagination. Recalling an event at Bharat Mandapam in Feb, he said 1,600 rural women learned AI tools within half a day and developed practical solutions for their villages.He further stressed that AI education should not remain confined to engineering students but extend across all academic disciplines. Expressing gratitude to the chief minister for opportunity to establish the Centre of Excellence, Chandrasekaran said the initiative would contribute to the vision of a “Viksit Bharat, Viksit Uttar Pradesh by 2047.”
