Experts in the field of Ambient Intelligence discussed futuristic deployment of technology in the healthcare sector at a two-day international conference held at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) on April 15 and 16 throwing light on new possibilities.

Newly emerging ideas and innovations associated with Machine Learning and Intelligent Computing and their application in different areas with particular reference to healthcare were the subjects of the deliberation. The conference was organised by the Department of Computer Application, Institute of Technical Education and Research, SOA’s faculty of engineering and technology.

Fifty-six papers, spread over eight different sessions held in virtual mode, were presented in the conference while a special session for young professionals was conducted which were chaired by professors from reputed universities and organizations.

Ambient Intelligence represents the future vision of intelligent computing which will not require explicit input and output devices. Instead, sensors and processors would be embedded into everyday devices and the environment would adapt to the needs and desires of the user seamlessly.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra and Dr. Debdoot Sheet of IIT, Kharagpur. SOA Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda was also present.

The experts who addressed the conference included Dr. Rajiv Raman, Senior Consultant in the Department of Vitreoretinal Services, Sankar Netralaya, Chennai, Dr. Fabricio M. Lopes, Professor, Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Technology, Parana, Brazil, Dr. Sudarshan Padhy, Former Director, Institute of Mathematics and Application, Bhubaneswar, Prof. Celia Shahnaz, Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and Dr. Deepti R. Bathula, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT, Ropar.

The valedictory session was chaired by Prof. Damodar Acharya, Chairman of SOA’s Advisory Board and former Chairman of AICTE, which was addressed by Prof. Ronaldo Fumio Hashimoto, Professor of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Dr. Tripti Swarnakar, Professor and Head of Department of Computer Application, Dr. Debabrata Singh and Dr. Sarbeswar Hota, Associate Professors of the department, conducted the programme.