Bengaluru: Emerging technologies, ranging from robotic neurosurgery to responsible artificial intelligence, took centre stage at the 26th annual convocation of the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) Sunday. Institute leaders also highlighted IIIT-B’s expanding global role in advancing digital public infrastructure.Held under the theme ‘Wings of Excellence’, the convocation saw 316 students graduate, including 95 from the Integrated Master of Technology programme, 175 from the Master of Technology programme, 32 from the Master of Science (Research) programme, and 14 PhD scholars. With the latest graduating cohort, IIIT-B’s alumni network has crossed the 5,000 mark, reaching a total of 5,268 graduates.Among the graduates was Dr Vikas V, professor of Neurosurgery at Nimhans and the institute’s 100th PhD scholar in computer science. He said his research combines medicine, engineering, AI and data science to lay the groundwork for autonomous neurosurgical robots.“My goal is to make neurosurgery safer by improving precision and reducing complications because even today it remains a high-risk speciality where the smallest surgical deficit can be life-changing for a patient,” he said.Integrated MTech Computer Science gold medallist Ketaki Srikrishna Tamhanakar, from Belagavi, said the rapid rise of artificial intelligence during her years at IIIT-B deepened her interest in the field. She said she hopes to contribute to the development of responsible and inclusive AI systems.Twin brothers Siddharth and Sankalp Kothari, who graduated from the Integrated MTech Computer Science programme, said studying together enabled them to collaborate on published research in satellite imaging and later on 3D reconstruction during an internship in Germany. Now working in Bengaluru, they said they are considering pursuing higher studies in the future.BV Naidu, chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, urged students to look beyond conventional careers and pursue entrepreneurship in sectors such as AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, quantum computing, robotics, space and defence.IIIT-B director Debabrata Das said the past year had been a landmark for the institute. He noted that its MOSIP digital identity platform is now used by 30 countries, benefiting more than 200 million people, while its digital public infrastructure initiatives support governments in over 30 countries.He also highlighted a Rs 4-crore Karnataka govt grant secured jointly with Nimhans for robotic neurosurgery research.
