Tag: Responsible AI

TechPulse

DITE&C Sensitizes Officials on Cyber Hygiene and Responsible AI Use on Safer Internet Day

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Altinho, February 10, 2026: Marking Safer Internet Day, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) organised an awareness session at the IT Hub, Altinho, Panaji, to sensitise government officials about growing cyber threats, online vulnerabilities, and safe digital practices.


The session was held under the theme “Smart Tech, Safe Choices – Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI” and aimed to promote cyber hygiene and responsible engagement with emerging technologies.

Addressing the gathering, Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS, Secretary of IT, emphasised that internet safety is a shared responsibility. He noted that awareness initiatives are essential to empower government officials, citizens, and youth to recognise digital risks and contribute to building a secure online ecosystem.

Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, highlighted the importance of responsible online behaviour in an era of increasing screen time and rapid AI adoption. He stated that as Goa progresses towards digital empowerment, ensuring protection against cyber threats and consistently practising safe online habits remains crucial.

Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C, welcomed the participants and encouraged them to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen digital security in their respective roles.

The session was conducted by Sharda Katare, Head of the State e-Governance Mission Team (SeMT), Goa, as part of the nationwide Safer Internet Day campaign led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The workshop featured video-based learning modules, discussions on key cyber threats, mitigation strategies, and responsible AI usage. Participants also shared personal experiences related to online fraud, making the session interactive and practical.

Fiona D’costa, Assistant Director, DITE&C, proposed the vote of thanks.

Through such initiatives, DITE&C reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Goa’s digital ecosystem by promoting safe internet practices and responsible AI adoption among officials and citizens alike.

EduConnect

Microsoft’s Aruna Chakkirala Talks GenAI, Responsible AI at Goa Business School

Tanisha Cardozo

As part of the ongoing Fomento Lecture Series, Microsoft’s Lead AI Cloud Solutions Architect, Aruna Chakkirala, delivered an insightful talk at Goa Business School, Goa University, on Tuesday. The session, titled “Business Impact of AI and Building Meaningful GenAI Use Cases,” offered students a first-hand perspective into how artificial intelligence, particularly Generative AI, is reshaping the world of work and innovation.

An alumna of Goa University herself, with a Master’s in Computer Applications, Aruna’s return to campus was both nostalgic and impactful. Drawing from over two decades of global experience in AI and cloud architecture, she explored the widespread influence of Generative AI across industries and how it’s essential for young professionals to orient themselves toward this transformative technology.

She advised students to focus not only on acquiring AI skills but on building domain understanding—stressing that AI should be seen as a tool to augment human capabilities, not replace them. This, she said, is crucial for improving job prospects in an increasingly AI-integrated job market.

Addressing a pressing concern among students, Aruna candidly acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding AI’s impact on employment. “We still don’t know how this wave of AI growth will ultimately affect job creation or displacement,” she said, validating the mixed sentiments within the academic community.

What remained constant throughout her talk was the emphasis on Responsible AI. For Aruna, responsible innovation has always been at the core of her professional journey. She spoke about the ethical dimensions of AI systems and the importance of building transparent, explainable models. Her book, Interpretability and Explainability in AI using Python, underscores this very philosophy and remains a valuable resource for professionals and learners alike.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A where students engaged with Aruna on current AI trends, future opportunities, and the importance of human-AI collaboration. The event further cemented Goa Business School’s commitment to providing students with access to leaders driving real-world tech transformation.