The 5th International Virtual Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Interdisciplinary Studies, hosted by Rajasthani Sammelan Education Trust’s “Deviprasad Goenka Management College of Media Studies, Malad West, Mumbai” commenced today, bringing together leading scholars, policymakers, and industry experts to examine AI’s transformative role across various disciplines.
Among the standout presentations was that of Dr Aniruddha Babar; a distinguished academician, writer, researcher, and Director of Project Constitutional Justice – A People’s Initiative, Tuensang, Nagaland. The address, titled “Strategic Framework on Law, Policy, and Governance for Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Sustainable Development: A Perspective on Eastern Nagaland,” provided a deeply insightful exploration of AI’s potential to drive constitutional justice, ethical governance, and inclusive progress, particularly in one of India’s most marginalized regions.
Delivering the presentation from a remote and secluded location at the Indo-Myanmar border, Dr. Aniruddha vividly depicted the realities and ground zero situation of Eastern Nagaland-a region where traditional wisdom meets modern challenges and where AI has the potential to bridge long-standing socio-economic divides. Emphasizing that AI should not be viewed merely as a technological luxury for urban centers but as a transformative force for underserved communities, the presentation outlined a strategic framework integrating legal safeguards, ethical AI governance, and inclusive policymaking to ensure technology serves as an instrument of empowerment rather than exclusion.
Highlighting the risks associated with unchecked AI expansion, the presentation warned that without robust governance mechanisms, AI could exacerbate existing inequalities instead of mitigating them. The address called for comprehensive legislative measures to ensure AI is deployed responsibly, protecting human rights and cultural heritage while fostering transparency and data security. This vision was reinforced with practical applications-AI-driven educational platforms extending quality learning to remote villages, AI-powered telemedicine solutions revolutionizing healthcare accessibility, and AI-integrated agricultural analytics optimizing irrigation management and farming practices across Eastern Nagaland.
The presentation also connected AI-driven governance to the ongoing Frontier Nagaland Movement, emphasizing that technology must serve as a pillar of justice and development for historically marginalized communities advocating for equitable governance. AI was identified as a key tool in ensuring transparent resource allocation, preserving indigenous cultural identities, and strengthening grassroots democratic initiatives central to the aspirations of the people advocating for Frontier Nagaland.
Key recommendations were presented to the state and central governments by Dr Aniruddha Babar through his presentation to ensure AI is harnessed for equitable development. The address urged targeted investment in digital infrastructure in remote regions to bridge the digital divide, alongside AI-driven educational programs integrated into state curricula to provide marginalized communities with access to quality digital learning tools. Additionally, the creation of AI research hubs in the North East was proposed to develop localized AI solutions tailored to the socio-economic realities of the region. Emphasis was placed on the importance of public-private partnerships to deploy AI ethically, ensure transparency in AI governance, and safeguard the rights and interests of indigenous communities.
The session, moderated by Bhavya Kotian, also featured an esteemed panel comprising Mr. Ravindra Bhandi, Head of CG, Outpost VFX and Dr. C. Babu, Director, Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies. Shri Ritesh Bhatia, Founder, V4WEB Cybersecurity delivered his presentation in Post Lunch Session. The panel keynote address was delivered by Professor Dr. Nestor T. Castro, a renowned academic from the Department of Anthropology, University of Philippines. The discussion explored AI’s ethical dilemmas, interdisciplinary applications, and the growing need for multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure technological advancements align with societal well-being. The intervention stood out as a critical call to action, urging governments, academic institutions, and policymakers to adopt AI strategies that prioritize equity, ethical responsibility, and constitutional justice, particularly for regions like Eastern Nagaland.
As the conference progresses into its second day, discussions will further expand on AI’s role in journalism, finance, healthcare, and education, reinforcing its influence in modern society. This presentation has set a powerful precedent for the dialogue on AI’s role in sustainable development, ensuring that the focus remains not just on technological capability but on its profound responsibility toward shaping an equitable future for development-deficit regions like “Eastern Nagaland”. The participation reinforces the essential role of grassroots advocacy in global AI discourse, reminding stakeholders that true progress is not merely about efficiency, but about justice, inclusion, and human dignity, particularly for the people of “Eastern Nagaland” and the aspirations of the “Frontier Nagaland Movement”.
(Courtesy : Dr. Aniruddha Babar)