Ganderbal, June 18: The Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) on Thursday inaugurated the International Conference on Applied Artificial Intelligence (2AI-2026) at its Tulmulla Campus in collaboration with the University of South Dakota (USA), AI Research Lab, and academic partners including Springer and CCIS.

The inaugural session was attended by Minister for Science & Technology, IT, Youth Services & Sports, Satish Sharma as Chief Guest, and was presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath. Senior academic leaders and dignitaries from AICTE, Central University of Karnataka, and other institutions participated as guests of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Satish Sharma said Artificial Intelligence must remain rooted in human values and used to improve public welfare across sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and governance. He highlighted the need for inclusive and responsible technological development and praised the talent and creativity of youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Ravinder Nath described AI as a transformative force reshaping societies and stressed the need for universities to lead research and innovation while preparing students for the evolving global knowledge economy. He also underlined recent efforts by the university to strengthen academic and research collaborations.
Addressing the conference online, Prof. Battu Satyanarayana, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Karnataka, said AI should complement human intelligence and be used responsibly for social and economic progress. He urged institutions to focus on meaningful adoption of emerging technologies.
AICTE Chief Coordinating Officer Dr. Chandrasekhar Buddha emphasized the importance of balancing technological advancement with human values, creativity, and critical thinking. He also called for strengthening indigenous innovation to address national challenges.
Dean International Affairs Prof. Sandhya Tiwari highlighted the university’s growing global partnerships, faculty exchanges, and student mobility programmes, noting that the institution is expanding its international academic presence.
Conference General Chair Prof. R.S. Hegadi informed that the event received 447 research papers from over 20 countries, with 118 selected after peer review, reflecting a 26% acceptance rate and strong academic rigor.
Dean, School of Engineering and Technology Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir said AI is rapidly evolving and urged academia to actively engage with emerging technologies instead of resisting change.
The conference proceedings and souvenir were released during the event. Organising Chair Dr. Yash Paul delivered the vote of thanks, while Dr. Gulafroz conducted the proceedings.