सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Kathmandu. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a globally transformative technology that can transform industries, improve governance, and elevate living standards. Nepal, given its social, economic, and geographical location, has the potential to become a regional ‘AI hub.’ Establishing Nepal as an AI hub requires digital infrastructure, investment in human capital, and collaboration among stakeholders. Initiatives such as expanding ‘4G’ and ‘5G’ networks, and establishing ‘tech parks’ in cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Itahari can serve as a cornerstone in this process.
Nepal needs to invest in human capital, start AI-focused courses in schools, colleges, and universities. Training programs, workshops, and courses can be provided in collaboration with global organizations to enhance the expertise of Nepali youth. In addition, the government’s tax breaks, grants, and incentive policies for AI startups will help encourage innovation. Setting up incubators and accelerators to support AI-based entrepreneurship can attract talent and investment.
Nepal can benefit greatly from AI. AI-enabled devices can improve diagnostic accuracy and extend telemedicine services to remote areas. AI-powered personalized learning platforms can bridge the education gap for rural students. Similarly, AI applications such as commercial farming, weather forecasting, and pest identification can significantly increase agricultural productivity. Also, AI plays a crucial role in natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. It can minimize damage by providing timely rescue and resource management.
Challenges and needs can be addressed through AI. AI models can be trained on Nepal-specific data to ensure their relevance. For example, speech recognition tools can enhance Nepali and regional languages such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, and Tamang. AI can enhance Nepal’s cultural heritage through virtual guides, chatbots, and AR/VR applications in tourism, while AI-enabled credit scoring systems in the financial sector can help extend credit to the underserved population.
To maximize the benefits of AI, Nepal must ensure efficient implementation and continuous innovation. Creating centralized data repositories and enforcing data privacy regulations are fundamental steps. Encouraging AI research through scholarships, grants, and collaboration with universities can create a knowledge base for sustainable development. Educating citizens about the benefits and limitations of AI can increase acceptance and reduce fears of job losses or privacy concerns. AI initiatives can promote environmentally friendly practices in agriculture and energy that align with Nepal’s sustainability goals.
Integrating AI into government offices can improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery. AI-enabled e-governance solutions can automate routine administrative tasks like record keeping, which reduces administrative inefficiencies. Tools that evaluate large datasets to assess the impact of policies and suggest improvements can encourage fact-based decision-making. Similarly, AI can leverage resources in health, education, and infrastructure projects, ensuring equitable development. Its role in corruption control and disaster management further highlights the utility of this technology.
A multi-pronged approach is needed to make AI effective. Nepal should draft a comprehensive AI policy that addresses aspects such as data privacy, ethics, infrastructure, and funding. Training local officials in AI applications can enable implementation. Public-private partnerships can pool resources and expertise for effective projects. Community participation in the design and implementation of AI solutions can help address their needs and problems. Aligning Nepal’s AI initiatives with international standards can encourage coherent and global collaboration.
AI holds great potential to transform Nepal’s socio-economic landscape. By strategically investing in infrastructure, education, and policy development, Nepal can establish itself as an AI hub in South Asia. The benefits for citizens, from improved health and education to effective governance, are significant and far-reaching. With integrated efforts from the government, private sector, and citizens, Nepal can harness the power of AI to build a prosperous and equitable future.
What new developments in AI are happening around the world?
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## The remarkable progress of AI is bringing about a huge change in life and business. New developments in AI have opened doors of possibilities in many fields. Generative AI, such as ChatGPTI, Doll-E and Midjourney, have been able to create human-like content. These technologies have provided systems capable of creating text, images, music and video. This is not limited to the field of creativity and innovation, but its impact is also widespread in healthcare, education and business. AI-based robotics has significantly increased productivity and efficiency. Now, autonomous vehicles are also an important development of AI. Tesla, Waymo and other companies are developing AI-powered vehicles, which are helping to make travel easier, safer and more environmentally friendly. Similarly, AI is playing an important role in healthcare in diagnosing diseases and making treatment plans. AI-based image processing systems have enabled fast and accurate analysis of tests such as MRI and CT scans. AI has also made significant progress in areas such as natural language processing (NLP). It has made communication between humans and computers more efficient. Tools such as Siri, Alexa and Google Translate are prime examples of NLP. The impact of such continuous progress is having more benefits than we can imagine and is expected to bring more changes in the future.
What will be the future of AI?
The future of AI is very bright and exciting. This technology is making sectors such as education, health, agriculture, industry, and business more efficient. In the near future, AI will automate many tasks, reducing the need for human labor. This technology will free people from repetitive tasks and help them focus on tasks that require creativity and thinking. The development of super-intelligence It is predicted that AI will have the ability to surpass human intelligence in the future. Such super-intelligence will be able to solve complex problems, such as finding solutions to climate change, revolutionizing biological research, and developing new medicines.
Similarly, the use of AI will bring about a major change in scientific research. In healthcare, AI will play a role in preparing personalized treatment plans and making accurate disease diagnoses. In addition, in the education sector, AI will help develop personalized learning systems, customize plans, and provide study materials according to the needs of students. In the business sector, AI will help analyze data, identify consumer trends, and create market strategies. It will further strengthen the collaboration between people and technology. It will make people’s lives more convenient and manageable. Such a future will take human life to new heights.
How can we make the most of it?
Nepalis can improve their living standards by using AI properly. AI offers many possibilities for a country like Nepal. The country can be moved forward on the path of development by using AI effectively in sectors such as agriculture, education, health, tourism, and industry. AI-based systems in the agricultural sector can help test soil, analyze crop conditions, and increase production. Smart agricultural systems can help reduce costs and increase productivity, while AI in the education sector can provide online classes, virtual tutors, and personalized study plans. AI can be used to make online education effective, accessible to students, and improve the quality of education in rural areas.
In the health sector, AI can help provide telemedicine services to people in rural areas. This can provide quality health care to a large segment of the population. In the tourism sector, AI can provide services such as virtual guides, language translation, and understanding the individual needs of tourists. This will make Nepal’s tourism sector competitive in the global market. Thus, the right use of AI will help improve the lives of Nepalis and move the country forward on the path of progress.
How can we learn AI?
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## There are many resources available to learn AI. In today’s digital age, online platforms are offering courses in AI. These courses provide knowledge from basic to advanced levels. Also, many courses are available for free or at a low cost. Similarly, books are also an excellent source of learning AI. Project-based learning is another effective method for learning AI. Learning can be made practical by engaging in a project to solve a problem or build a new system. Universities in Nepal should also start courses on AI, which will provide students with world-class knowledge and skills. Similarly, learning can be strengthened by engaging in AI projects through volunteering. Learning AI requires basic knowledge of language, mathematics, and computer science, which can be incorporated into the education system from the local level to higher education.
What is the potential of AI business in Nepal?
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## The potential for AI businesses in Nepal is enormous. The country can be economically strengthened by establishing AI-based businesses to solve the country’s natural resources, human resources, and local problems. In e-commerce, AI can help create personalized recommendation systems by understanding customer preferences and trends. This will improve customer service and make businesses more competitive. In the financial sector, AI will facilitate fraud detection, credit risk assessment, and financial analysis. In healthcare, AI-based tools will help deliver quality healthcare to rural areas. In the information technology sector, AI will promote the development of software and applications. Similarly, in the education sector, AI will contribute to personalizing the learning process of students and improving the quality of education. AI businesses will help accelerate Nepal’s economic development, create jobs, and expand the reach of Nepali businesses in the international market.
How can it be made more useful?
The role of the government is key to making the use of AI effective in Nepal. The government should increase investment in AI technology and formulate policies. The use of AI-based systems in government services will make service delivery faster, more transparent and more effective. For example, AI can make a big contribution in areas such as digitization of government documents, traffic management systems and online access to government services. At the village level, implementing AI-based education and health services will improve the quality of life in rural areas. For this, the government should run programs to increase internet access in rural areas and raise public awareness about AI.
Local Solutions and Global Competitiveness
AI can solve local problems and strengthen Nepal’s position in global competition. For example, in the agriculture sector, AI can help with crop management, yield forecasting, and disease control. In the tourism sector, virtual guides and language translation services can improve the experience of foreign tourists. In fintech, AI can help improve financial technology and make the banking system more efficient.
Challenges and Solutions
There are many challenges to adopting AI in Nepal due to lack of basic infrastructure, shortage of manpower, and policy ambiguity. These challenges can be addressed through collaboration between the government, private sector, and academic institutions. Universities should include AI in their curricula. Government programs should encourage public awareness and start-ups. The private sector should invest in AI-based projects. AI is rapidly developing around the world, and Nepal can benefit greatly if it is adopted in the right way. From education to health and from rural to urban areas, AI can be used to move the country forward in the digital era. We should use AI to solve local problems and aim to strengthen Nepal in global competition. AI can play a major role in improving the lives of Nepalis and making the country progressive.
(The author is a professor of computer science, statistical science, and artificial intelligence at various universities in the US and a subject expert in the engineering and technology department of Prometric)RSS
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