AICTE: 2025 set to become Kumbh of AI

Mita Mukherjee

After announcing 2025 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) said that the new year is set to become a ” Kumbh of AI: Amrit Intelligence”.

” The year 2025 is set to become a Kumbh of AI: Amrit Intelligence, a grand confluence of technology and innovation akin to the sacred Kumbh Mela– India’s enduring symbol of unity and transformation…. Just as the Kumbh Mela is a confluence of rivers, humanity and spirituality, the AI Kumbh represents convergence of data, algorithms and computational power,” the AICTE, the top body that regulates engineering education wrote to principals of all its affiliated institutions on January 1.

Urging all institutions to embrace the new year with ” renewed hope” and determination to build a brighter future, where “AI acts as a beacon of progress for generations to come,” the AICTE chairman T. G. Sitharam explained in the letter how the AI Kumbh represents the convergence of data, algorithms and computational power.

Data, according to the letter represents river Ganga, the “abundant source of knowledge, reflecting the diversity of India’s people, industries, and systems.”

Algorithms represents Yamuna, “The flowing logic that transforms raw data into actionable insights” and computational power, represents the river Saraswati, “the unseen yet omnipresent force driving AI’s transformative potential.Together, these elements form a powerful ecosystem poised to uplift India’s social, economic, and cultural fabric,” the letter read.

Describing AI as the “Rain of Amrit Intelligence”, the AICTE chairman said in the letter, “In mythology, Amrit is the divine nectar of immortality. In the modern era, AI serves as this nectar, promising eternal relevance, sustainability, and progress. Its impact is already visible across various domains like agriculture, healthcare, education and industry.

In agriculture, precision farming, weather prediction, and supply chain optimization are transforming the lifeline of millions of farmers, the letter said. In healthcare, AI acts as a “healer, enabling telemedicine, early diagnosis, and personalized treatments, bridging gaps in accessibility”. In education, ” from smart classrooms to adaptive learning platforms, AI ensures enlightenment for every student, leaving no one behind” and in industry, ” predictive analytics, automation, and innovation are driving growth and efficiency, redefining the engines of India’s economy.”

AI adoption is “much like the pilgrimage to the Kumbh, the AICTE said. The journey of AI adoption requires preparation, perseverance, and faith. Despite challenges such as the digital divide, infrastructure gaps, ethical concerns, and the need for mass skilling, the journey continues with a shared belief in the transformative potential of AI.

Describing AI as a Yajna (Sacred Offering), the AICTE, said ,”The adoption of AI is akin to a yajna—a sacred offering performed for collective welfare. It demands sacrifices in the form of adapting to new technologies, letting go of outdated practices, and embracing change.” According to the AICTE, “AI’s inclusivity can act as a great equalizer and democratize access to opportunities.

It will empower marginalized communities, create level playing field for innovators and enhance the quality of life for common citizens. The AICTE asked principals to ensure that the use of AI must align with principles of ethics, fairness, and compassion. “Just as the sacred waters of the Kumbh must be preserved, AI must serve humanity responsibly, avoiding biases and fostering inclusivity.”

Institution heads and academics welcomed the move. According to them, AI is rapidly transforming industries, economies and societies and the AICTE initiative to announce 2025 as the Year of AI is “good”. But a section of academics associated with engineering education are of the opinion that there is no need to symbolise AI with mythology.

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the advancement happening in engineering and technology. It is being used widely in the applications of science and technology. This new technology has very strong potential to revolutionise the production and help the advancement of society, if used for constructive purposes. It has nothing to do with the upcoming Kumbh Mela or any Hindu religious occasion or issue,” said Tarun Kanti Naskar, a former professor of Jadavpur University.

“The circular issued by AICTE symbolising AI with the mythology and falsehood is with vested interest and it is done with the aim of communalising education. Mixing up technology with mythology would create a fertile ground for sowing the seeds of fascism,” said Prakash N Shah a writer and literary scholar from Gujarat.