Two-Day Workshop on “Building Tomorrow’s Sportsman: Exploring the Role of AI in Physical Education – Opportunities & Challenges” – 22-23 August 2024

The two-day workshop was designed to examine the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing physical education and sports, focusing on AI’s potential benefits, practical applications, and challenges in the field. The event brought together respected speakers and provided students and staff with valuable learning experiences, including hands-on practice.

Summary of Sessions

1. Day 1: Foundational Topics and Practical Training
   The first day centered on introduction to AI, its relevance in sports, and practical skills in weblog usage.

• Welcome Address Speaker: Dr. R. Giridharan, Associate Professor & Head, RKMVERI-GAPEY, delivered an address to set the tone for the workshop.
• Keynote Address Speaker: Swami Buddhidananda, Assistant Administrative Head, RKMVERI inspiringly delivered address on emphasizing AI’s transformative potential in education and sports.
• Session 1: Introduction to AI
  • Speaker: Dr. R. Sridhar, Director, SRKV College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore.
    This session covered the basics of AI, setting a foundation for deeper understanding.
• Session 2: AI Usage in Today’s Sports
  • Speaker: Mr. P. Annamalai, RKMVERI Coimbatore Campus.
    A detailed look into current AI applications in sports, providing context on how AI can enhance athletic performance.
• Session 3: Hands-on Training: Weblog Creation
  • Instructor: Mr. V. Dinesh Kumar, Assistant Professor, SRKV College of Arts & Science
    Practice Led by: All Staff Members. A practical training session on weblog creation, enabling participants to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.
• Day 2: Advanced AI Applications and Professional Networking
  The second day featured sessions on advanced AI research, career networking, and other relevant topics.
  • Session 4: Leveraging AI for Advanced Research
    • Speaker: Dr. J.S. Anantha Krishnan, Senior Research Fellow, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit.
      This session provided insights into methodologies for using AI in advanced research and applications in sports.
  • Session 5: Connecting with Proficiency Networks for Career Enhancement
    • Speaker: Sri. S. Shankar Subbiah, Accessibility & Assistive Technology Consultant, Director, AGATE INFOTEK.
      The importance of networking in building a career in AI and sports was discussed, along with guidance on leveraging professional networks.
  • Session 6: ChatGPT – A Teaching Tool or a Cheating Tool?
    • Speaker: Rtn. Nirmala Raghavan, Director & CEO, Nirmala Raghavans Institute of Teacher Training
      This session explored the ethical considerations and practical uses of AI tools like ChatGPT in education.
  • Session 7: Balanced Diet and Health Benefits
    • Speaker: Mr. S. Akshay, Sports Trainer, RKMVERI-GAPEY
      An informative session on the importance of diet for athletes and its influence on overall health and performance.