Moving Beyond the "Terminator" Myth
Ritwik opens by addressing the most common narrative around AI — the one shaped by robots, killer machines, and all-knowing assistants from movies.
He explains that most people subconsciously equate AI with characters like Terminator, Jarvis, or humanoid robots with personalities. In reality, what we use in our daily lives is Narrow AI — systems built to perform very specific tasks.
When Science Fiction Becomes a User Manual
One of the most memorable parts of the talk is Ritwik’s claim that “almost 80% of what used to be science fiction is now a roaring reality.” He proves this through side-by-side parallels:
HAL Exoskeleton
What once looked like fantasy armor is now the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL), helping paralyzed patients walk again in rehab centers.
Dubai Robot Police
In 2017, Dubai introduced autonomous robotic officers to support law enforcement — a striking echo of what cinema imagined decades ago.
Self-Driving Cars
Johnny Cab is now Tesla and Waymo — vehicles that can navigate complex city roads without a human touching the wheel.
Digital Humans
Voice assistants and lifelike digital humans (like manav.ai) are already handling support and onboarding for global brands.
Bringing a Digital Human On Stage
Rather than just talk about AI, Ritwik introduced Pia — a digital assistant built using his company’s conversational AI technology. At one point, Pia even “interrupts” the talk to introduce herself and explain why she exists.
He showcased hyper-realistic avatars designed down to the exact number of hairs on an eyebrow. These aren’t just lab demos; similar digital humans are already guiding travelers at places like Bengaluru Airport, helping people with security and boarding queries.
The "Fear vs. Creation" Paradox
Will AI take our jobs? Ritwik reframes the anxiety. He argues that AI is best at work that is repetitive, rule-based, and time-consuming.
The Core Message
"Don’t just fear the tools. Learn how to build them. AI is an Empowered Present rather than a scary future. You can either be a passive user or an active creator."
The President’s Perspective
"As President of the Udaipur Toastmasters Club, Ritwik uses this talk as a benchmark for how complex technical data can be transformed into a relatable human story. It's not just about the code; it's about the connection."
