S. Vidyashankar, Vice Chancellor, Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, highlighted the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and said that both teachers and students need to understand how to effectively integrate AI into the teaching and learning process. “Research shows that due to rapid technological innovation, nearly 85% of existing jobs could be replaced by 2030, making reskilling essential in all professions,” he noted.
He was speaking at the valedictorian program of a two-day faculty development program titled ‘AI for Educators’ organized by Vidyavardaka Institute of Technology in association with PALS-IIT Madras at the VVCE campus here on Tuesday. Professor Vidyachankar said that several AI tools are already available and more are expected to be developed in the coming years. But the real challenge, he said, is not in developing these tools, but in learning how to use them effectively. For this reason, he said, extensive training is needed, not just for teachers but for society as a whole.
He used agriculture as an example, explaining that while AI-based tools are being developed to support farmers, many farmers may not have the capacity to use them independently. In such situations, students can play an important role in guiding farmers, but teachers must equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills.
He highlighted the rapid pace of technological advancement and urged educators to continually update their knowledge and adapt to new technologies. “Teachers who participate in such training programs should share their learning with their academic colleagues so that the benefits reach the broader academic community,” he suggested.
The vice-chancellor also noted that VTU introduced AI as a common subject in the first semester and launched initiatives such as innovation and design thinking to encourage students to identify real-world problems and develop practical solutions.
He emphasized the need for stronger research and innovation and called on educators and students to contribute to indigenous skills development so that India becomes self-reliant with advanced technology by 2047.
Dr. Sadashive Gowda, Principal of VVCE, Mr. Vishwanath P., Secretary of VVS, Mr. Shobha Shankar, Vice Principal of VVCE, Mr. Shobha Shankar, Head of Corporate and International Affairs, VVCE, Mr. MR Pooja, Professor and Head of CSE, VVCE, Mr. Alamelu N., Co-Founder of PALS IIT Madras, Mr. Arun K. Tangirala, Professor, IIT Tirupati were present.
issued – March 10, 2026 8:22 PM IST
