ANRF CEO Advocates for AI to Democratize and Accelerate Basic Research
Artificial intelligence (AI) holds the transformative potential to democratize basic research by enabling faster knowledge exploration and accelerating simulation models, according to Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). Speaking at an event organized as part of National Science Day at SASTRA Deemed University on Saturday, he emphasized that this technological advancement can make research more accessible and efficient.
Collaborative Research and Open Data Sharing Are Key
Kalyanaraman stressed the critical importance of collaborative research through open data sharing, rather than data Balkanisation, to build indigenous AI models that advance basic research. "The mission-mode approach demands a collaborative and impactful research and innovation mindset from all stakeholders including academia, industry, and non-profit organisations," he said. This approach aims to foster a unified effort in leveraging AI for scientific breakthroughs.
Awards Presented at SASTRA Event
During the event, Shivkumar Kalyanaraman presented several prestigious awards to distinguished researchers:
- The SASTRA-C N R Rao Award to Professor D D Sharma from IISc Bangalore and Professor George Thomas from IISER Trivandrum.
- The SASTRA-G N Ramachandran Award to Professor Amit Roy from IUAC Delhi.
- The SASTRA-Obaid Siddiqi Award to Madan Rao from NCBS Bangalore.
- The SASTRA-Mahamana Award to R N Iyengar from the Center for Ancient History & Culture, Bangalore.
Each awardee received a plaque and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, recognizing their contributions to science and research.
Implications for Future Research
By promoting AI-driven tools and collaborative frameworks, Kalyanaraman's insights highlight a path toward more inclusive and rapid scientific discoveries. This vision aligns with global trends in using technology to solve complex research challenges, potentially leading to significant advancements in various fields.
