01.10.2026: AI and Data Science Must Serve the Last Person: Governor

Publish Date : October 1, 2026

Governor presides over a meeting of the Vice Chancellors’ Futuristic Technology Forum

AI and Data Science Must Serve the Last Person: Governor

Futuristic Technologies Must Have a Human Face; Benefits Must Reach the Last Person: Governor Jishnu Dev Varma

Mumbai, October 1: Futuristic technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science must have a human face, and their benefits should reach the last person in society, said Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of Public Universities Shri Jishnu Dev Varma at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai, today.

The Governor was chairing a meeting of the Vice Chancellors’ Futuristic Technology Forum. He emphasized that futuristic technology is a vital component in translating the vision of Viksit Bharat into reality. He called for greater cooperation and knowledge‑sharing among universities to advance futuristic technologies across the State, and urged their application in making education, healthcare, and employment opportunities more inclusive.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Rajneesh Kamat, Vice Chancellor of Shivaji University and Head of the Futuristic Technology Group; Dr. Sunil Bhirud, Vice Chancellor of COEP Technological University; Prof. Arvind Kiwalekar of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University; and other faculty members.

The Governor noted that AI in higher education can make learning more interactive and effective. In healthcare, AI can support accurate diagnosis, address the shortage of doctors, and extend advanced medical technologies to both urban and rural populations. He added that AI could aid in early identification of memory‑related disorders and accelerate drug research.

Highlighting the logistics sector, the Governor said AI can monitor cargo transportation stages and provide more precise estimates of delivery times.

Dr. Rajnish Kamat stated that the group’s recommendations would prepare Maharashtra’s universities for emerging technologies expected by 2030, while also guiding their responsible use. Dr. Sunil Bhirud presented on AI in Healthcare, and Prof. Arvind Kiwalekar presented on AI in Logistics.

On the occasion, Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma released the book Joy of Python: Foundations of Data Science, authored by Prof. John Rose of Xavier Institute of Engineering in collaboration with researchers from Sophia University, Tokyo. Co‑authors John Mukulu and Tad Gonsalves were also present.