Dr. Gopichand played a pivotal role in establishing several Centers of Excellence in collaboration with institutions and received numerous awards, including the PACE award in 2021 and recognition as a digital pioneer in 2018. 

He serves as an Independent Director for Bosch India Limited and ICICI Securities and is President of the IET, Board of Trustees UK. Additionally, he's a member of the NASSCOM governing council for the Centre of Excellence for Data Science & AI.

INDIAai interviewed Dr Gopichand to get his perspective on AI.

Tell us about your journey from an electrical and electronics engineering graduate to the founder of an organization. 

A passion for technology and innovation has fuelled my journey. I pursued a Master's degree with funding from NASA and completed my Ph.D. with support from the Gas Research Institute, specializing in Electromagnetic Sensors. During this academic journey, I recognized the immense potential of AI as a tool for classifying signals from advanced sensors and other applications. 

Subsequently, I embarked on a professional path encompassing diverse experiences, ranging from large corporations to startups and academic collaborations. These experiences gave me a holistic view of evolving technology trends and opportunities. During this time, I saw the need to bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and practical, real-world applications. 

It led to the founding of Myelin Foundry, a company dedicated to making AI research actionable in various industries. My journey has been one of continuous learning, flexibility, and the spirit of entrepreneurship, with a relentless commitment to driving innovation and technological progress. 

Your multifaceted career would inspire many people who want to pursue a career in artificial intelligence. What difficulties have you encountered during the early stages of your career? How did you overcome these challenges? 

Finding funding for AI research and development was a significant hurdle without an established credibility early in my career. I navigated this by adopting a data-oriented approach to proposal writing. This approach allowed me to demonstrate the potential impact of the technology solutions I was passionate about, making them more compelling to potential investors and sponsors. Sharing my passion for these technological solutions involved honing my communication skills and articulating complex concepts in a way that resonated with various stakeholders. 

Building and working with a great team was essential in overcoming these challenges. Collaboration with talented individuals with a shared vision and bringing diverse skills to the table was instrumental in executing projects successfully and achieving our goals. 

What is your role as President and Board of Trustees at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)? 

Holding the position of President at the IET is an honour, and being the first Indian in this role is a matter of great pride. It signifies the recognition of India's growing prominence in engineering and technology. The IET has a rich history of fostering innovation and knowledge exchange globally. Its impact can be seen in the advancement of engineering and technology, from groundbreaking research to industry-standard practices. I am committed to continuing this legacy and promoting engineering excellence in India and worldwide. 

How will AI research, startups, and the market grow in India in the coming years? 

In the coming years, AI research, startups, and the market in India can target significant growth. Realizing India's potential requires persistent effort over several years and the coordinated involvement of government bodies, educational institutions, the private sector, NGOs, and international allies. The focus should be on job creation and fostering an ecosystem that supports these jobs through ongoing learning and innovation. India should focus on data creation and annotation in rural areas, leveraging training centres, enhanced infrastructure, micro job platforms, and projects tailored to local languages. Urban areas should grow in AI application development, propelled by robust support for startups, corporate partnerships, and the establishment of urban innovation hubs. Additionally, academia, government, and large corporations should concentrate on AI algorithm development through research investments, ethical policy frameworks, and international collaborations. Comprehensive strategies will underpin this ambitious expansion, including educational reforms, clear regulatory frameworks, public awareness initiatives, and a commitment to sustainable and inclusive AI.  

According to you, what are the industry's most critical and specific AI requirements? 

In the context of India, addressing the most critical market needs for its development towards a ten trillion-dollar economy. One of the significant challenges and opportunities lies in the energy sector, where the goal is to add 400 GW of generation capacity and equivalent Transmission and Distribution (T&D) capacity in an environmentally friendly manner. AI can play a pivotal role in land identification, optimizing plant operations, predicting energy demand, and determining the ideal energy mix. Leveraging AI technologies can facilitate the expansion of the energy infrastructure and ensure sustainability and minimal environmental impact. 

Another critical area where AI can make a transformative impact is agriculture. India aims to double agricultural productivity while reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides. AI-powered solutions can empower farmers with insights, precision agriculture techniques, and crop management strategies that optimize resource utilization and minimize environmental harm. 

Furthermore, as India strives to enhance its public transportation infrastructure, AI should be leveraged to support this endeavour. Efficient planning, route optimization, and resource allocation can be achieved through AI-driven solutions. Doubling the capacity and effectiveness of public transportation can significantly reduce traffic congestion and emissions, contributing to a more sustainable and liveable environment. 

An expert with over two decades of industry and research experience in AI/ML. What are the most common misconceptions you would like to burst? 

One common misconception in artificial intelligence (AI) is the fear surrounding its capabilities. AI is not to be feared but leveraged for its transformative potential. It's a powerful tool that, when harnessed responsibly, can enhance various aspects of our lives and industries. Rather than fearing AI, we should focus on ethical development and its responsible application to maximize its benefits. 

It's important to understand that AI does not replicate all aspects of human creative intelligence. AI is proficient in handling the rote aspects of tasks, which can be translated into an input and output model. These are the domains where AI excels. However, humans continue to play a crucial role in controlling resources and making end-use decisions. Applying judgment, empathy, and ethical considerations remains a distinctly human capability. 

Additionally, as with any technology, actors may misuse AI for malicious purposes. Like the dark corners of the web, there will be dark AI players who attempt to exploit AI for criminal activities. However, existing laws and new regulations continuously evolve to monitor and minimize such activities. Governments, organizations, and the AI community must collaborate to set ethical standards, ensure transparency, and develop safeguards to prevent misuse. 

Tell us about Myelin Foundry. What do you expect from a fresher to join Myelin Foundry? 

Myelin Foundry operates with the mantra: 'Create with Freedom, Nurture with Passion, and Change with Detachment.' We are dedicated to transforming human experiences and industry outcomes by deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) on complex unstructured data in real-time, at the edge of innovation. 

At Myelin Foundry, we value individuals who embody the spirit of curiosity, continuous learning, hands-on problem-solving, creativity, and a strong orientation towards delivery. Innovation thrives when driven by passionate and forward-thinking individuals. We would love to have you on our dynamic team if you share our vision and possess these qualities. 

What advice would you offer a person looking to work in AI or data science? What is the best way to progress? 

AI is about data: Understand that AI revolves around data. It's the lifeblood of AI systems. To excel in AI, you must develop a deep appreciation for data – how it's collected, processed, and used. Before applying AI techniques, thoroughly understand the data you're working with. Data preprocessing, cleaning, and feature engineering are foundational steps in the AI pipeline. 

Data is about the domain: Recognize that data is closely tied to specific domains or industries. To leverage AI effectively, dive deep into the domain you wish to impact. Domain knowledge is invaluable for identifying meaningful patterns in data. 

Domain is about exposure: Gain practical exposure to your chosen domain. Engage in real-world projects, collaborate with experts, and immerse yourself in the industry's challenges and opportunities. 

Constantly upgrade your fundamental knowledge of AI: AI is rapidly evolving. Stay updated with the latest research, methodologies, and technologies. Participate in courses, attend conferences, and engage with AI communities. 

Could you list essential books and publications on artificial intelligence and data science? 

I highly recommend reading the paper by Vaswani et al. titled "Attention is all you need," as it serves as the foundation for recent transformer models and is crucial for staying at the forefront of AI research and development. 

Furthermore, I suggest reading the Myelin Foundry patent titled "System and method for predicting wellness metrics." This patent reflects cutting-edge innovation in the AI domain and offers insights into predictive wellness metrics, which are increasingly relevant in today's data-driven world.