Speaker: Prof. Sukumar Nandi

Dean (Administration) & Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Guwahati

Biography: Prof. Sukumar Nandi is a distinguished academic and researcher, currently serving as a Senior Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India. He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association, the Institution of Engineers (India), and the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India). Additionally, he holds the prestigious titles of Senior Member in both the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). With extensive contributions to the field of computer science and engineering, he continues to play a significant role in advancing research and education.

Research Interest: Computer Networks, Computer and Network Security, Data mining, Machine Learning, VLSI, Computer Architecture, Computational Linguistics.

Security Challenges in AI-Driven 6G Networks

Speaker: Prof. Biplab Sikdar

Abstract: The advent of 6G networks promises unprecedented advancements in connectivity, low latency, and massive machine-type communication, setting the stage for a future where artificial intelligence (AI) will play a pivotal role in network management, automation, and optimization. However, the integration of AI into 6G networks also introduces a wide range of security challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the safe and reliable operation of these next-generation networks. This talk will explore the evolving security landscape of AI-driven 6G networks, focusing on potential threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies. Key topics include the risks of AI-powered attacks, such as adversarial machine learning, data poisoning, and model inference attacks, as well as vulnerabilities in network slicing, edge computing, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices that are expected to proliferate in 6G environments. The seminar will also discuss the importance of trust, privacy, and security in AI-based decision-making processes.

Biography: Prof. Biplab Sikdar is the Provost’s Chair Professor and Head of Department in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National University of Singapore, where he also serves as the director of the Cisco-NUS Corporate Research Laboratory. He received the B. Tech. degree in electronics and communication engineering from North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli, India, in 1996, the M.Tech. degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India, in 1998, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA, in 2001. His research interests include IoT and cyber-physical system security, network security, and network performance evaluation. He is a recipient of the NSF CAREER award, the Tan Chin Tuan fellowship from NTU Singapore, the Japan Society for Promotion of Science fellowship, and the Leiv Eiriksson fellowship from the Research Council of Norway. He has served as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Communications, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, IEEE Internet of Things Journal, IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology, and IEEE Network. He is an IEEE Fellow, IEEE Distinguished Lecturer, an ACM Distinguished Speaker, and member of Eta Kappa Nu and Tau Beta Pi.

Data-driven and light-weight ML aided smart IoT

Speaker: Prof. Swades De

Abstract: Massive IoT deployment for realizing smart environments heavily depends on the cost of deployment and ease of maintenance. These factors in turn depend on cost, energy efficiency, energy sustainability, and potential green operation capability. In this presentation, we will discuss how lightweight learning-aided computing at the field node nodes, at the edge, fog, and cloud can aid in achieving these goals. First, through a generic framework, we will try to capture the general principles of achieving the IoT solutions, which can be customized as per the application-specific needs. Subsequently, through a few practical use cases, we will demonstrate how we have made some progress from research-driven problems using classical applied stochastics tools to learning-aided refinement of the solutions, and finally to the development of technology prototypes. We will share our experiences from field experiments, proof-of-concept implementations, and deployments, and will highlight the possibilities of learning-aided networking optimizations for various multidisciplinary-disciplinary applications. We will round off the discussion by sharing some of the challenges that we face in further translation efforts.

Biography: Prof. Swades De (web.iitd.ac.in/~swadesd) received the B.Tech. degree in Radiophysics and Electronics from the University of Calcutta in 1993, the M.Tech. degree in Optoelectronics and Optical Communication from IIT Delhi in 1998, and the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2004.

Dr. De is currently a Senior Professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Delhi. Before joining IIT Delhi in 2007, he was a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor with the Department of ECE, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA, from 2004–2007. He also worked as an ERCIM Post-doctoral Researcher at ISTI-CNR, Pisa, Italy (2004), and has nearly five years of industry experience in India in telecom hardware and software development from 1993–1997 and in 1999.

His research interests broadly cover communication networks, with a focus on performance modeling and analysis. His current research directions include energy-sustainable and green communications, wireless energy transfer, in-band coexistence and spectrum-sharing communications, smart grid networks, and IoT communications. Dr. De currently serves as an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications.

Speaker: Shri Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan

Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan is Managing Director of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a leading public sector refinery in the Northeast India under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.

He is a Mechanical Engineer with more than 30 years of experience in the Oil Industry including Logistics, Marketing, Technical Services and Operation. He started his career in Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (Assam Oil Division) in the year 1990 and thereafter joined Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in the year 1999. Prior to his assuming the office of the Managing Director, he held the position of Director (Technical) of NRL.

Mr. Phukan has been instrumental in strategizing the growth various upcoming projects in the area of Oil Refining, Crude Oil Transportation, Petroleum Transportation, Natural Gas Transportation, Petro Chemical projects, Investment in marginal fields etc. NRL plans around INR Rs 45,000 Crs capex in recent 5 years and these investments will make NRL a leading player in all streams of Hydrocarbon. He was one of the key persons in conceptualising and implementing the first-in-the-world 2G ethanol bio-refinery at Numaligarh which will convert bamboo to ethanol and other chemicals. Mr Phukan is an avid technology enthusiast and is a believer of early adoption of cutting-edge technology and supports start-ups ventures.

Shri Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan's forward-thinking leadership is evident in NRL's ambitious Net Zero roadmap, emphasizing the production of green hydrogen, waste ammonia recovery, and afforestation initiatives. In summary, his leadership has positioned NRL as a key player in India's energy sector, contributing significantly to the nation's energy security and environmental goals through a dynamic hybrid strategy and a clear roadmap towards achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2038.