On November 4, 2024, the Dhanani School of Science and Engineering (DSSE) hosted a thought-provoking public lecture by Dr. Basit Riaz Sheikh, a renowned AI entrepreneur and technology innovator. His talk on “Navigating the AI Adoption Curve: From Automating Mundane Tasks to Strategic Integration,” provided invaluable insights on how AI is reshaping industries and opening new possibilities for the future.
Part of the DSSE Lecture Series, the seminar brought together students, faculty, and members of the broader community for an engaging session on AI’s practical applications and its far-reaching potential. It offered a unique opportunity for participants to learn directly from one of the leading voices in AI, gaining a deeper understanding of how to leverage this evolving technology.
About the Speaker: Dr. Basit Riaz Sheikh
Dr. Basit Riaz Sheikh, a Cornell University Ph.D. graduate in Computer Engineering, currently serves as the CEO of Forloops, an AI services company specializing in generative AI solutions, and the CTO of InstaWorld, an AI-driven logistics and fintech platform. Dr. Sheikh’s distinguished career includes serving as an advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Information Technology and Telecom in 2012. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work in the fields of AI, digital transformation, and innovation.
The Practical Impact of Artificial Intelligence
In his lecture, Dr. Sheikh emphasized on the potential of artificial intelligence in automating routine data driven tasks. According to him, while there is much excitement surrounding AI’s potential for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), its current power lies in streamlining repetitive processes.
Dr. Sheikh drew from his work with Fortune 500 companies and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to share real-world examples of the impact of AI. He noted that AI excels at tasks like data entry, analysis, and basic customer service — jobs that often drain human resources. By automating these tasks, AI helps companies save time, reduce errors, and free up employees for more creative, high-value work. Furthermore, he stressed that strategically integrating AI tools can help organizations create new opportunities for growth.
Empowering Innovators: How AI’s Accessibility is Shaping the Future
A central theme of Dr. Sheikh’s lecture was the democratization of AI technology. He noted that AI is now more accessible than ever before, describing it as “the most democratized technology that has ever existed.” Models and tools that once cost millions of dollars to develop, such as Meta’s Llama 3.2, are now open-sourced and freely available to the public.
This shift, Dr. Sheikh explained, empowers anyone with access to the internet to innovate and create without needing vast financial resources. In light of this, he encouraged students and young innovators to leverage these open-source technologies to experiment and push the boundaries of AI development. By utilizing these readily available “building blocks,” he urged individuals to explore new ideas and contribute meaningfully to the field.
Essential Skills for Thriving in an AI-Driven World
Dr. Sheikh’s lecture also emphasized the importance of preparing for the future of work in an AI-driven world. He discussed how AI is creating new job opportunities, such as those of influencers, cloud architects, and Python developers, roles that were unimaginable a few decades ago. He noted that the new careers will require individuals who are open to adapting, skilled, and ready for the future.
Dr. Sheikh emphasized the importance of key qualities for students to thrive in an AI-driven future: proactivity, collaboration, discipline, and resilience. Drawing inspiration from social scientist Dr. Raj Chetty, he explained that these qualities will enable students to innovate, overcome challenges, and stay relevant in the coming years.
The lecture concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where Dr. Sheikh addressed concerns about AI potentially displacing jobs and emphasized that, in fact, AI will generate new roles. He also encouraged the audience to stay proactive, equipped with the right skills, and ready to innovate. With AI transforming industries like logistics, healthcare, and finance, Dr. Sheikh’s talk provided participants with a roadmap for taking the next step in becoming the innovators of tomorrow.
A Vision for the Future
The DSSE Public Lecture Series continues to be a powerful platform for exploring key issues in science, engineering, and technology. Habib University, recognized as the best university in Pakistan for liberal arts and sciences, stands at the forefront of these conversations, empowering students and young researchers to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
To learn more about the DSSE Lecture Series, click here.
