Page 181 - CW E-Magazine (15-10-2024)

ICC Annual Awards 2023

AI will be a disruptive transformer: Dr. Mashelkar

Artifi cial Intelligence (AI) and
Machine Learning (ML) will be major
disruptors, and the chemical industry
needs to take note of developments in
this space and leverage it to advantage.

This was stated by Dr. R.A.
Mashelkar, Former Director General,
Council for Scientifi c and Industrial
Research (CSIR), during a fi reside
chat with Prof. A.B. Pandit, Vice
Chancellor, ICT.

“The process of discovery itself will
change and data driven discovery will Fireside chat session between Dr. Mashelkar and Prof. Pandit.
bring new effi ciencies. Drug discovery, Dr. Mashelkar said broader acceptance Dr. Mashelkar also noted that while
for example is being increasingly of the latter at scale will need many accidents in the Indian chemical indus-
driven by AI, but its impacts will fundamental technological break- try – especially the Bhopal Gas tragedy,
extend to new polymers, catalysts, etc.,” throughs. “This will test the system and the explosion in the Maharashtra
he added. “Digital twins can improve engineering skills of our scientists, Gas Cracker Complex in Nagothane
operational effi ciency, reduce risks, technologists and companies,” he (Maharashtra) – were horrendous, the
improve maintenance and enable custom added. industry has come a long way in the
formulations to meet market needs.” way it handles hazardous materials and
In an Indian context, he stressed the processes, and mitigates risks. “The
Dwelling on the sustainable trans- need for biomass cultivation in mar- way technology is being used today
formation of the chemical industry ginal lands, using the tools of modern in some of the leading companies in
from one dependent on hydrocarbons biotechnology. “Policy support will be India to address safety-related concerns
to renewably-sourced carbohydrates, vital,” he added. is remarkable,” he added.

Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to Deepak

Mehta, U. Shekhar and V.V. Mahajani

ICC Honoured, Mr. Deepak Mehta,
Chairman and Managing Director,
Deepak Group with the ‘Lifetime
Achievement Award’ for his contri-
butions to the Indian chemical industry
and to ICC.

“I believe in the importance of for-
ward-thinking and responsible chemis-
try, where ethics, aesthetics, and eco-
nomics align. From my journey at
Deepak Nitrite, I’ve learned that creat-
ing surpluses helps markets thrive,
and striving for world-class quality
is essential,” Mr. Mehta said in his
acceptance speech. Mr. Deepak Mehta, Deepak Group, being conferred the ICC Lifetime Achievement Award.

Chemical Weekly October 15, 2024 181

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