AI to rule all fields, time to be future-ready: Isro chief

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will change every field and do away with all traditional jobs in the next 5 to 10 years, said S Somanath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), on Wednesday.
Speaking at an event organised by the Kalam Institute of Youth Excellence Foundation at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium to attract students towards space and defence technologies, he said AI and machine learning are disrupting the whole world.
He shared how in the last three to four years, 200 startups have come up in the space and defence sector. “Be it space programmes, medical diagnostics, the legal profession, or movies, AI is going to change everything. Tech will rule the entire job scenario for youth. Yo u need to build new skill sets to prepare for the futur e,” he advised students and pointed out how medical diagnostics such as blood reports and X-ray, among others, have been disrupted because of AI software.
The Isro chief said that the technologies that a nation creates are going to drive its economy. “If we look at the United States, the economy is driven by the innovations that have happened at industries and universities.
Innovations will decide the future of the economy. Look at tech as an important tool for the growth of this nation,” Somanath said. He added: “Encourage innovations by connecting the academic ecosystem with the industrial ecosystem.”
He also asked students to understand their potential. “Not every one of you will become an AI engineer. Some of you may become artists, doctors, lawyers, or join the armed forces. Whatever you do, do it with passion and you will reach great heights,” he said and recommended students to specialise in one area, but learn to work across multiple domains to succeed.
He said along with innovation and technology, another factor that is going to work in the favour of our nation is the power of youth. “When compared with countries like China, Japan, and European countries, we have an added strength—our young population. In the next 25 years, the power of youth will boost the growth of the nation,” Somanath said.