By Fr. Blasius Tete, SDB –
Dibrugarh, Assam: A transformative workshop on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for educators” took place at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Dibrugarh, in North-East India, organized jointly by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and Salesians of Don Bosco, Dimapur Province. The full-day event, held on January 25, 2024, saw the participation of 106 educators from seven prominent schools in the region.
The esteemed resource person for the day was Fr. Sabu Thomas, an accomplished figure from Sacred Heart College, Thevara, Kochi. Fr. Cyriac Manipadam Headmaster of St. Thomas School Sadiya introduced the distinguished speaker, emphasizing Fr. Thomas’s role as a lecturer in the English department at Sacred Heart College, a CMI institution known for its high academic standards.
Fr. Sabu Thomas, a motivational speaker with a remarkable track record, delved into the intricacies of various artificial intelligence tools during the seminar. The audience was introduced to cutting-edge tools such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, Microsoft Being, Complexity AI, Twee, Lumen5, Mindsum AI, Leny AI, ChatPDF, Deft GPT, and Quizizz.
Despite the time constraints, the resource person provided valuable insights into the distinctions between robots and chatbots, as well as the differences between Google and ChatGPT. Unfortunately, due to time limitations, certain tools like QuillBot were not covered during the session.
The seminar, which focused primarily on practical applications, captivated the attendees as they engaged with the AI tools through their mobile devices. Fr. Sabu Thomas’s expertise and engaging delivery left the educators thrilled and energized throughout the sessions.
A lunch break at 12:30 pm and a tea break at 3:00 pm allowed participants to network and discuss the enriching content. The event marked a significant step forward in integrating artificial intelligence tools into the educational landscape, empowering educators to embrace the potential of these technologies.
Fr. Sabu Thomas’s vast experience, including eight bestselling books and over 117 workshops, further solidified the seminar’s impact. Having animated more than 40,000 teachers and covered over 1,000 institutions, his expertise continues to shape the educational landscape, leaving an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to attend this groundbreaking seminar.