he Department of Law, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, organised a National Seminar on “Harnessing AI Opportunities for Women” on October 18 at the Golden Jubilee Auditorium, NEHU.
The seminar, sponsored by the National Commission for Women, New Delhi, was held in a hybrid format, bringing together experts and participants from across the country to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in empowering women.
The seminar’s inaugural session was graced by the presence of Patricia Mukhim, a renowned social activist, writer, and editor of ‘The Shillong Times’, who served as the chief guest. Prof. Nagari Mohan Panda, Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) of NEHU, chaired the session.
In her welcome address, Prof. Jyoti J. Mozika, Head of the Department of Law, emphasised the seminar’s theme, highlighting its focus on leveraging AI to create new opportunities for women in various sectors. She underscored the importance of exploring AI as a tool for empowerment and equity.
Delivering the keynote address, Mukhim discussed the vast potential of artificial intelligence to enhance administrative efficiency and enable social progress. However, she also cautioned about the risks of misuse and stressed the need for stringent monitoring mechanisms to ensure AI is harnessed responsibly.
Prof. Panda, in his remarks, elaborated on the transformative impact of AI, particularly in breaking down long-standing gender barriers. He emphasised how AI can play a critical role in fostering women’s progress by dismantling the glass ceiling and enabling them to compete in traditionally male-dominated fields.
The seminar featured two technical sessions, with distinguished resource persons from academia, legal practice, and law enforcement presenting structured and insightful lectures. The topics of discussion included AI-driven empowerment and the emerging opportunities it offers for women in various sectors.
The seminar saw the presentation of 26 papers by university and college faculty, research scholars, and students from various institutions across India. Their presentations covered diverse perspectives on AI’s potential to drive women’s empowerment and aligned well with the seminar’s objectives.
The valedictory session was graced by Prof. Cecile A. Mawlong, Dean, School of Social Sciences, NEHU. In her concluding remarks, she commended the Department of Law for organising such a timely and relevant seminar with the valuable support of the National Commission for Women.
Prof. Mawlong highlighted the importance of continued dialogue and research on the intersection of AI and gender, especially in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 250 attendees, both online and offline, reflecting a widespread interest in the topic and its relevance to today’s society.
