India should spend more on artificial intelligence: Mohandas Pai

Hubballi: Manipal University chairman and IT industry veteran T V Mohandas Pai said that India should be the part of the innovation happening around the world and regretted that the country is lagging behind when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI).
Delivering the keynote address at TiECON Hubli 2018 here on Sunday, Pai said though AI companies are coming up in India in a small way, there is lack of funding. "China is spending $150 billion on artificial intelligence. The US and China are going to dominate the world in AI. What's happening in China is unbelievable. India should spend more on AI and be a part of change," he said.

Pai said that advancement in science and technology has been disrupting the oil industry, finance service, life sciences and education sector. He explained how the advent of machine impacted human history. "Before 1850, India and China were the richest countries in the world. It was because a large number of people did not have so many wars which killed people. They had access to water and over the period of time, they developed skills, artisans, and civilization. They also developed commerce in a way which was good for the whole world. The civilization was built on human muscle and animal power. But in around 1850, something happened and that changed the world. And that was the invention of steam engine that started the age of machine. It changed the course of human history in a short period."

When TOI gave Quick Heal founder his first big contract

Recalling his earlier days, Quick Heal Technologies Ltd founder, MD and CEO Kailash Katkar explained how his interest in repairing radio, TV, calculator and computers led to the foundation of the IT security solutions provider.

"When I offered people to repair their computers, nobody was willing to allow me to repair their computers, which was costing much at that time. However, The Times of India office in Pune allowed me to repair their computers. They were happy and asked me to raise bill. I told them that I did not want money but want an annual maintenance contract (AMC) of computers in the TOI office. After 4-5 months they agreed to give AMC to maintain three computers in the accounts department. That one contract changed my business career," he said.

Katkar advised entrepreneurs not only to concentrate on profit but also satisfy their customers.