Director's Message

The exploration of natural intelligence has been a longstanding quest for humanity, spanning from ancient times to the present day. Despite many attempts to define intelligence, scientists have yet to reach a consensus on what constitutes intelligent behaviour. This inquisitiveness has driven thinkers, researchers, and sociologists to delve deeper into understanding the brain’s complex operations, which govern both fundamental and intricate functions as well as social interactions. Over the past several decades, this pursuit has evolved into a specialised field known by various names, including Machine Intelligence (Ml), Artificial Intelligence (Al), and Ambient Intelligence (Ami). Each term reflects different perspectives on intelligent behaviour, with Ambient Intelligence focusing on contextsensitive applications. In contrast, MI and Al are often used interchangeably, though Al has become the dominant term to encompass a vast range of operations and interactions that suggest machine capabilities similar to human intelligence.

The history of Al research dates to the late 1940s, with periods of heightened interest and later lulls. However, recent advancements in Al have catalysed a transformative shift across various sectors, influencing the actions of scientists, technologists, businesses, educators, and even the general populace. The practical implications of these advancements highlight the profound and sensible impacts of Al applications in diverse fields. The remarkable progress in Al relies on decades of research and development in computing, sensing, and communication technologies, which have become widely accessible due to significant advancements in physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This convergence of disciplines has led to economic viability and skill development in deploying Al solutions. As Al continues to evolve, its integration into different areas of life demonstrates the ongoing relevance of studying natural intelligence. Understanding the intricacies of machine capabilities not only advances technology but also reflects on the relationship between artificial and human intelligence. This exploration poses important questions about the future of intelligence, ethical considerations, and the societal implications of Al.

In conclusion, the journey of comprehending intelligence-both natural and artificial-highlights humanity’s enduring curiosity and the potential for innovation. The continuous quest for knowledge drives the development of Al, promising to reshape our understanding of intelligence and its applications in the modern world. As researchers strive to bridge the gap in defining intelligence, the ongoing dialogue between machine capabilities and human understanding remains vital. Understanding these dynamics can lead to transformative advancements and inform future endeavors in Al technology.

It is a pleasure to see the first set of pre-inaugural integrated degree programmes in the area of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science being launched by the LICAI right in the Academic Session 2024-25 and follow it up with a few more focused programmes in subsequent years. With a very different teaching-learning philosophy and with a paradigm shift towards Learning-by-Doing pedagogy along with introduction of a quarter based academic term and various courses taught or co-taught by industry professionals alongside the Institute faculty, the LNMIIT brings a refreshing flavour that aims to combine inputs from industry, academia and from research labs for creating both industry ready graduates as well as thought leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. I wish the LICAI and its pioneering batch of incoming students a wonderful experience and hope these early initiatives would prove to be trend-setters.

Professor Rahul Banerjee

Director

LNMIIT Jaipur