Research seminar by Prof. Raghava Rao Mukkamala

Posted on September 21, 2026 by administrator

IIM K hosted its first research seminar on July 07, 2026, for the year 2026-27. It was conducted by Prof. Prof. Raghava Rao Mukkamala, professor of Data Science and Cybersecurity at the Department of Digitalization, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark.

The topic was Towards Sustainable AI: The Role of Small and Open-Source Language Models

Abstract of the talk given below

The rapid growth of Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) has transformed education and research, yet their computational demands, limited transparency, and reliance on proprietary infrastructure raise concerns about accessibility, governance, and sustainability. This talk examines how open-source and small language models (SLMs) can provide more transparent, resource- and energy-efficient, and sustainable alternatives to large commercial AI systems.

Drawing on our research and teaching activities at Copenhagen Business School, the talk discusses how SLMs could be used for education and research. Four applications: the use of fine-tuned and domain-adapted SLMs in education; language-based approaches to econometrics and time-series forecasting; a Retrieval-Augmented Generation prototype for refugee support in ICTD contexts; and knowledge distillation approach for social good, focusing on misinformation about refugees using lightweight models trained on synthetic data. Overall, the talk argues that small and open-source models are essential for developing accessible, responsible, sustainable, and impactful AI.