KUALA LUMPUR, 29th July –The Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI) organized another series of their AI Insights Talk, featuring The Hive, a venture fund dedicated to co-creating, funding, and launching AI-powered enterprise companies headquartered in Palo Alto, USA.
T. M. Ravi, Managing Director and co-founder of The Hive, and Kamesh Raghavendra, the General Partner and Chief Product Officer, presented an insightful sharing session titled “The Era of Generative AI: Transformative Technologies, Applications, and Skills for the Future.”
UTM’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, welcomed the distinguished speakers, urging all to embrace and explore the potential of AI for the greater good. He emphasized UTM’s commitment to advancing AI through the establishment of FAI.
“As we explore these remarkable applications, it is crucial to recognize the skills required to thrive in this new era. The demand for professionals who understand both the technical and ethical dimensions of generative AI is growing exponentially. Skills in machine learning, data science, programming, and ethics are becoming indispensable. Moreover, creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability are essential traits that will empower individuals to harness the full potential of generative AI,” he stated in his opening remarks.
The AI Insights session by T. M. Ravi and Kamesh Raghavendra was moderated by Prof. Dr. Shamsul Sahibuddin, an expert in AI and software engineering, explored how generative AI has emerged as a transformative force. This technology is comparable to revolutionary innovations like the steam engine and electricity and stands among the most significant modern advancements, such as the internet, mobile technology, and cloud computing.
Attended by FAI faculty members, postgraduate students, and industry partners, the session provided an overview of the diverse applications and use cases of generative AI, highlighting its profound impact across various industries. From healthcare to finance, entertainment to customer service, generative AI is driving innovation and reshaping traditional workflows.
The session also highlighted the evolving skill sets needed in today’s enterprises. There is a growing demand for data engineers, architects, and back-end engineers, marking a shift from the traditional emphasis on data scientists. Education and training programs must adapt to meet these new requirements, ensuring a workforce capable of fully utilizing the potential of generative AI.
Furthermore, the session introduced the key technologies underlying generative AI. Attendees gained valuable insights into large language models, the differences between open-source and closed-source models, and the principles of prompt engineering. Advanced topics such as integrating new data with Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and fine-tuning language models for specific applications were also discussed.
Additionally, the concept of agentic workflows, demonstrating how generative AI can autonomously manage complex tasks and decision-making processes was discussed. This capability significantly enhances productivity and efficiency, offering substantial benefits for organizations and enterprises.
Also in attendance during this insightful session were Dato’ Dr. Mohd Sharil bin Abdullah, Acting Deputy Director General of Higher Education (Academic and Research), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education; Dato’ Ir. Low Keng Kok, Member of UTM’s Board of Directors; Prof. Ts. Dr. Abd Latif bin Saleh, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (UTM Kuala Lumpur Campus); and Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Naz’ri bin Mahrin, Dean, Faculty of Artificial Intelligence.
Gratitude and appreciation were extended to Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar, UTM’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, for introducing T. M. Ravi and Kamesh Raghavendra. The network established through this event will greatly benefit UTM’s focus on developing more student AI-related startups that could elevate the nation’s economy.
