
AI will soon crack any UG science problem: Mathematician Manjul Bhargava at IISc
Manjul Bhargava says AI is rapidly improving in science, maths accuracy
IISc convocation: AI to reshape science education in coming years
Well-known mathematician and Fields Medal winner Manjul Bhargava believes Artificial Intelligence (AI) is on the brink of a quantam leap. Addressing the convocation ceremony at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru on Thursday, he said that within the next one or two years, some AI models will be capable of solving any undergraduate-level science or mathematics problem with accuracy.
'AI remains notoriously bad at doing math and science. We've all seen social media posts mocking AI's confident yet incorrect answers,' Bhargava said. But that, he added, is changing fast.
Having personally tested several advanced language models set to release in the coming years, Bhargava expressed confidence: 'Some AIs will soon be able to solve even tricky trigonometry questions with precision. What was once laughable may become reliable.'
This rise of capable AI, he said, will also raise questions for the future of education and public policy. RETHINKING EDUCATION
As AI systems improve, Bhargava posed a critical question: 'What happens to teaching at institutions like IISc when AI can solve most problems?' He noted that education may need to shift from rote learning to fostering creativity and interdisciplinary thinking.
He urged educators and policymakers to start preparing for this shift now, noting that 'disruptive technologies bring not just new tools, but new responsibilities.'
Bhargava also highlighted the need for ethical frameworks around AI. 'We will need new policies to ensure that as AI becomes more powerful, it is used responsibly,' he said. IISc CONVOCATION
At the ceremony, IISc awarded degrees to 1,487 postgraduate and PhD students, and 106 undergraduates. Eighty-four students received medals for academic excellence.
In a poignant moment, the Professor BG Raghavendra Memorial Medal was posthumously awarded to Somwanish Nikhil Chottu, a student from the Department of Management Studies who passed away earlier this year.
The event reflected both the promise of the future and the challenges it brings, as one of India's top science institutions took stock of a rapidly changing world.
Well-known mathematician and Fields Medal winner Manjul Bhargava believes Artificial Intelligence (AI) is on the brink of a quantam leap. Addressing the convocation ceremony at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru on Thursday, he said that within the next one or two years, some AI models will be capable of solving any undergraduate-level science or mathematics problem with accuracy.
'AI remains notoriously bad at doing math and science. We've all seen social media posts mocking AI's confident yet incorrect answers,' Bhargava said. But that, he added, is changing fast.
Having personally tested several advanced language models set to release in the coming years, Bhargava expressed confidence: 'Some AIs will soon be able to solve even tricky trigonometry questions with precision. What was once laughable may become reliable.'
This rise of capable AI, he said, will also raise questions for the future of education and public policy. RETHINKING EDUCATION
As AI systems improve, Bhargava posed a critical question: 'What happens to teaching at institutions like IISc when AI can solve most problems?' He noted that education may need to shift from rote learning to fostering creativity and interdisciplinary thinking.
He urged educators and policymakers to start preparing for this shift now, noting that 'disruptive technologies bring not just new tools, but new responsibilities.'
Bhargava also highlighted the need for ethical frameworks around AI. 'We will need new policies to ensure that as AI becomes more powerful, it is used responsibly,' he said. IISc CONVOCATION
At the ceremony, IISc awarded degrees to 1,487 postgraduate and PhD students, and 106 undergraduates. Eighty-four students received medals for academic excellence.
In a poignant moment, the Professor BG Raghavendra Memorial Medal was posthumously awarded to Somwanish Nikhil Chottu, a student from the Department of Management Studies who passed away earlier this year.
The event reflected both the promise of the future and the challenges it brings, as one of India's top science institutions took stock of a rapidly changing world. Join our WhatsApp Channel
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