Punjab Minister Sond honours Mantrin CEO for excellence in digital marketing, brand strategy

The North News
Chandigarh, May 21
Punjab Industry Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond honoured Mantrin CEO Lalit K. Sharma during the AI and Cyber Security Summit organised by The Hindustan Times at JW Marriott in Chandigarh. The recognition was awarded for Sharma’s contributions in the fields of digital marketing and brand consulting, acknowledging his leadership in driving innovation in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Minister Sond used the occasion to express concern over the darker side of the artificial intelligence revolution. He underscored the importance of moral values and digital ethics in the AI age, warning that while AI has transformed business and governance, it also poses serious risks. “AI will play a significant role in shaping the future, but it also presents enormous challenges,” he said. He warned that the technology is already being misused to damage reputations, spread misinformation, and generate fake news.
Citing cross-border threats, Sond referred to recent incidents in which Pakistan weaponised AI to circulate deepfake videos during conflict situations, aimed at manipulating public opinion and destabilising trust in institutions. He described these as new-age tactics of information warfare, calling for stronger digital resilience and public awareness.
The Minister also outlined the state’s steps to counter such threats, noting that Punjab has deployed a dedicated team of 96 officers to tackle cybercrime, especially banking fraud and phishing attacks. “Even as we embrace AI, we must not forget that moral values remain our first line of defence against digital threats,” he added.
Mantrin CEO, while speaking during a panel discussion on AI and cybersecurity, shared insights on the transformative role of AI in modern business operations. He noted that his own company is actively exploring AI tools and that prompt engineering—the craft of asking precise and intelligent questions to AI systems—has emerged as a key skill. “Whether in a small startup or a multinational firm, the quality of AI output is only as strong as the input. That brings us to a critical question: how trustworthy is the content AI produces?”
Lalit K. Sharma also highlighted increasing concerns around cybersecurity, pointing to common risks such as unsuspecting users clicking malicious links or falling prey to AI-generated deepfake videos promoting fraudulent schemes. He said the core of the problem often lies in the lack of digital literacy and ethical training. He urged that alongside technical innovation, organisations must foster a culture of responsibility and digital awareness.
Other speakers during the panel discussion included Dr Maninder Singh, Chief Technology Officer at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, and Rohit, CEO and Co-founder of Idea Clan.