AMRITSAR: The first three-day World Punjabi Conference began with grandeur at Golden Jubilee Convenction Centre, Guru Nanak Dev University, bringing together eminent scholars, policymakers, technologists, and representatives of Punjabi diaspora to deliberate on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the future of Punjabi language, culture, and society.
Member of Parliament Vikramjit Singh Sahney announced a grant of Rs 1 crore for establishing an Artificial Intelligence Centre at the university, stating that the initiative would help align students with emerging global technologies while strengthening linguistic and cultural roots.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Karamjeet Singh welcomed delegates from India and abroad, describing the conference as a forward-looking initiative that would guide future academic and cultural engagement. He observed that Artificial Intelligence is presently one of the most significant areas of knowledge, but emphasised that technology must remain a tool guided by ethical consciousness.“The real success of human–machine interaction will lie in ensuring that technology serves human sensitivity rather than replacing it, ” he said, expressing confidence that Punjabi would emerge as a language capable of engaging meaningfully with the future in the digital age.
Speakers underlined that while AI—born of human intellect—is reshaping the world, its direction must remain rooted in spiritual and ethical awareness. They stressed that humanity must recognise its inner identity under the guidance of Sri Guru Granth Sahib before confronting technological transformations.
Former Chief Secretary K. B. S. Sidhu noted that deliberations at the conference could lead to a roadmap connecting Punjabi language with global technological systems. He highlighted that the event seeks to integrate AI not only with technical disciplines but also with language, literature, and culture.
Former Member of Parliament Tarlochan Singh said AI could play a transformative role in preserving Punjabi literature, folklore, and historical heritage while enabling their wider dissemination.
Member of Parliament S. Vikramjit Singh Sahney said that Punjabi identity represents a distinctive way of life shaped through centuries of struggle and resilience. He observed that the Punjabi language, with its rich heritage spanning thousands of years, stands today at a critical juncture where tradition must engage meaningfully with modern technology.
Dr. Deepak Manmohan Singh pointed to challenges such as the growing inclination of youth towards English and the limited digital presence of Punjabi, suggesting that AI tools could help bridge these gaps.
Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, remarked that with nearly 150 million speakers, Punjabi holds strong potential in the AI era. He cautioned, however, that machine intelligence learns from human-generated data, and biases present in datasets could be amplified if not addressed responsibly.