Heads of several engineering colleges in the Western region that are offering UG programmes in Artificial Engineering and Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and other AI-related programmes are apparently yet unsure about the outcome in the job market.
While the backing by the All India Council for Technical Education that has underscored the potential of AI to positively impact various sectors, including agriculture, education, healthcare, logistics, and finance is a comforting factor, there has been no clear indication so far on the job placements for the students pursuing these programmes, a senior professor of Anna University said, requesting anonymity.
The announcement by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin earlier this month to develop two million square feet IT hub in Coimbatore under PPP for AI was cited by a principal of a leading college in Coimbatore as a sound augury for emergence of a new paradigm for jobs in IT sector.
There are also voices of caution. “AI is indeed important for the country. But then, it has to be application-oriented, such that it would benefit all developmental sectors, and not be studied as a stand alone programme,” M. Chidambaram, former Director of National Institute of Technology-Tiruchi, said.
A committee of academics represented by faculty of IITs and NITs must be formed to formulate the mode of integration of AI into basic programs such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
“No study has been made on the requirement of AI professionals for the country. Offering AI and related programmes separately with bulk admissions at the cost of basic engineering programmes could, in all probability, turn counterproductive,” Prof. Chidambaram cautioned.
Published – January 29, 2025 12:59 am IST
