Bengaluru, May 29 (Reporter) The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, in collaboration with Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), will organise a national conference titled ‘AI for Empowering PwDs’ in Bengaluru on May 30. The event will highlight the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in creating inclusive, accessible, and assistive solutions for persons with disabilities. As part of the Government’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative, the conference aims to bring together academicians, technologists, innovators, policymakers, startups, and global stakeholders to deliberate on emerging AI-driven technologies that can enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities. The inaugural session will include a special address by Secretary of DEPwD, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, along with Prof. PVM Rao of IIT Delhi and Prof. Venu Govindaraju of the University at Buffalo, USA. The event will witness the launch of several flagship initiatives including Mission AI Accessibility, Mission AI for Assistive Technology, the National Disability Support AI Chat Bot, and the Unified Benefits Interface. Throughout the day-long conference, a range of sessions will explore innovations in inclusive technology, with participation from institutions such as IIT, AIIMS, OpenAI, CSIO, Anuvadini, Sarvam AI, Karya Inc., Microsoft, Lenovo, Bhashini, StackGen, and the EquiBeing Foundation. Several entrepreneurs and beneficiaries will share their real-life experiences with AI-powered assistive solutions. Among them are Ekansh Aggarwal from Svar Smart Solutions, Gopikrishnan S. from Sunva.AI, and Arman Ali of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP). Start-ups supported under the India AI Challenge, alongside international innovators such as Dot Inc from South Korea, will showcase technological breakthroughs catering to various disabilities including developmental, visual, and hearing impairments. Other exhibitors will include Torchit, Sunbots Innovations, Sohum Innovation Labs, Indic AI, Barrier Break, and Khyaal. The event will also feature a cultural performance by Miracles on Wheels, celebrating resilience and creative expression among persons with disabilities. The conference will conclude with an interactive Q&A session and a closing address by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, outlining a strategic roadmap for inclusive AI development and collaboration in the disability sector...////...