Drones that monitor crop health and medical devices for early detection of cancer are among AI-based innovations on display at Bengaluru Tech Summit 2017

At a time when technologies like Artificial Intelligence are becoming the new world order, Karnataka is betting big to prepare itself for these new drivers of employment.

Drones that monitor crop health, medical devices for early detection of cancer and apps that help visually impaired read and identify objects were some of the AI--based innovations on display at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2017.

Many of these companies pitched their products and services to an audience of top business executives, government officials, and investors at Karnataka government’s flagship event held in Palace Grounds here.

“We are at the beginning of what is called as fourth industrial revolution,” said Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of software giant Infosys. He said multinational companies are setting up research and development facilities here because they are able to find professionals at a scale who understand technologies such as AI and Machine Learning.

For instance, smartphone maker Samsung “largely developed” its AI-based virtual assistant Bixby at its Bengaluru research and development centre, said Dipesh Shah, global Senior Vice President, Samsung.

Future-ready State

“I assure that we would leave no stone unturned to make our state future-ready,” said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He said the manufacturing process will undergo a transformation through technologies such AI, robotics, 3D Printing and Internet of Things.

“When chief minister of a State speaks about artificial intelligence, robotics.... you know they (government) really have their mind and attention deep into this industry,” said R. Chandrashekhar, president of IT body Nasscom.

Mr. Gopalakrishnan said there is a “need to do more” like creating norms required for testing some of the cutting-edge technologies such as driverless cars, drones and gene editing.

At the tech summit, Skylark Drones, a Bengaluru-based startup exhibited its unmanned aerial vehicles for enterprises for services such as land surveying, power line inspection and monitoring of construction, pipelines and crop health. Aindra Systems showcased an AI-powered cervical cancer detection system to facilitate early diagnosis. Another company GingerMind Technologies displayed ‘Eye-D’app that helps visually impaired navigate, identify objects and read text using their smartphones.

Big Data

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director of biotechnology company Biocon said due to the convergence of AI, life sciences, IT and data analytics “digital health” is turning into a big opportunity. She said the use of sensors and cameras is becoming very rampant when it comes to diagnosing healthcare problems. “I am very pleased to see a number of startups in these areas are taking shape right here in the city,” said Ms.Shaw, who has backed many young ventures, including Sea6 Energy and XCyton Diagnostics.

At a time when these technologies are becoming very pervasive, they are also generating a lot of data which needs to be protected and requires policies. Vanitha Narayanan, Chairman, IBM India said the company can work with the industry and the policy groups in terms of responsible use of data. “It is an asset and it is for us to responsibly.... protect the privacy of citizens and the organisations,” said Ms. Narayanan.