At the recent Bhutan Innovation Forum, experts explored how artificial intelligence and augmented reality can benefit sectors such as agriculture, tourism, education, and health. Experts said that there is a need to balance the use of cutting-edge technologies with ethical considerations while valuing human intelligence. The discussion focused on how Bhutan’s future innovation can thrive in the world of AI and augmented reality.
Artificial intelligence is the ability of machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence such as reasoning, natural communication, and problem solving.
On the other hand, augmented reality is a technology that adds digital elements, such as images, videos, and information on top of the real world.
According to panellists, integration of AI, when done thoughtfully and ethically, has the potential to modernise agriculture, tourism, education, and health sectors and help sustainable development in Bhutan.
Nesma Bensalem, Founder and CEO of WeCare Impact said “In agriculture, with precision AI, you are able to get data driven insights that allows you to optimise your crop yields to come up with like sustainable farming solutions, to predict weather patterns, to understand the soil health and to be better able to optimise resources management that you have.”
Richard Rothenberg, CEO of Global AI said “We can definitely incorporate AI to the curriculum and not take it as a threat. But basically, teach students to leverage AI to process information faster and also use augmented reality tools to visualise the learnings across different fields.”
Sonam Pelden, the co-founder of Curioser.AI said that the policies and regulations struggle to keep up with the rapid advancements in technology.
However, she said at all times, human intelligence should take precedence over artificial intelligence in the Bhutanese context.
“We have the tendency to think that every analogue or offline problem we have could be solved with a digital solution. When in fact sometimes there might be simpler more rudimentary options available. So, using AI or technology for the sake of it may not necessarily be the answer but really looking at how it could cater to and serve Bhutanese people rather than have Bhutanese people serving them.”
Further, the panellists called for the need for a framework in the world of artificial intelligence.
Audrey Low, President of Gyalpozhing College of Information Technology said “We need a framework to actually create conditions to innovate safely and responsibly. I think this is what we all in the panels have been speaking.”
Nesma Bensalem, Founder and CEO of WeCare Impact said “Think about what are some of the regulations and some of the policies early on cause as you mentioned technology is developing so fast.”
Meanwhile, the panellists discussed that artificial intelligence should be used consciously to align technology with human values, ensuring it benefits society rather than harming it while promoting mindful development.
Kinzang Lhadon
