Ganderbal, June 19: The two-day International Conference on Applied Artificial Intelligence (2AI-2026), organised by the Department of Information Technology, Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) in collaboration with the University of South Dakota AI Research Lab (USA), and supported by Springer CCIS, concluded at the Tulmulla Campus on Friday.

The valedictory session was attended by Vice Chancellors of CUKashmir and SKUAST-K, along with senior academicians, deans, and faculty members from various institutions.
Chief Guest, SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganaie lauded the initiative, calling Artificial Intelligence a key driver of the emerging knowledge revolution. He highlighted its applications in agriculture, healthcare, education, security, and governance, and stressed the need for responsible and ethical use of AI. He also underlined SKUAST-K’s initiatives in AI-enabled agriculture and interdisciplinary education combining technology with domain expertise.
CUK Vice Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath said the conference, held alongside the launch of the university’s M.Tech programme in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, provided an important platform for academic exchange and exposure to emerging technologies. He emphasized that AI must be guided by human judgment and ethical responsibility while serving as a tool to enhance efficiency across sectors.
Conference General Chair Prof. R. S. Hegadi informed that over 447 research papers were received, of which 118 were selected after rigorous review by more than 500 experts for publication in Springer’s CCIS series. He encouraged young researchers to focus on AI-driven innovation and practical solutions to real-world challenges.
Dean, School of Engineering and Technology Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir said AI has become a transformative interdisciplinary field aligned with the National Education Policy, fostering innovation across science, technology, humanities, and governance.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Yash Paul and proceedings conducted by Ms Insha.