SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be viewed as a tool to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them, stressing that the future must be guided by humanity even as science and technology drive progress.
Delivering the keynote address at the Dr Suresh Awasthi Memorial Lecture Series organised in Varanasi on the 20th death anniversary of noted scholar Dr Suresh Awasthi, the Lieutenant Governor spoke on the theme “AI: Effects and Side Effects”, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges posed by the rapidly evolving technology.
He said AI has fundamentally reshaped the job market and is redefining the global economic landscape by transforming the way people learn, work and access services.
“There are moments in history when human civilisation enters a new age. The invention of the wheel, the printing press, the steam engine, electricity, computers and the internet changed the world. Today, we stand at the threshold of another such era with Artificial Intelligence,” Sinha said.
He noted that AI has already become part of everyday life, reaching homes, schools, hospitals, industries, farms and government systems. According to him, the technology is improving lives even in remote villages by enabling health workers to conduct medical screenings, helping farmers access weather and crop-related advisories, and providing students with quality education in their own languages.
Calling for a balanced and ethical approach to technological advancement, Sinha said India has historically combined scientific progress with moral values and should continue to lead by ensuring AI serves the larger interests of society.
“Our duty is not only to adopt AI but also to guide it in the right direction. Technology should democratise opportunities and extend human capabilities rather than replace people,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said every technological revolution has disrupted existing systems while creating new opportunities, adding that AI should be seen as a “force multiplier” capable of handling routine and repetitive tasks so that people can focus on creativity, innovation and critical thinking.
“AI represents our best path forward, not as a replacement for human potential, but as a force multiplier,” he said, adding that the future would belong to a partnership where technology manages routine functions while humans concentrate on meaningful work.
Sinha said the pace of technological change makes rapid reskilling an urgent priority across sectors. He also warned against emerging risks such as AI-generated deepfakes, misinformation and the erosion of public trust.
He stressed that transparency must remain central to the AI ecosystem, saying citizens have the right to know the source of the information they receive.
Addressing students and young professionals, the Lieutenant Governor urged them to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking and scientific temper while also upholding ethical values.
He said educational institutions should strive to create an environment where scientific knowledge and moral values grow together, giving equal importance to creativity, communication, empathy and responsibility alongside technical competence.
“We must build a future where science becomes the means of progress and humanity determines its direction,” Sinha said.
Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor paid tributes to Dr Suresh Awasthi, describing him as a distinguished scholar, visionary and teacher who viewed political science as an instrument for nation building. He said Dr Awasthi’s ideals of independent thinking, knowledge and humility continue to inspire younger generations.
The virtual lecture series was attended by Padma Bhushan Ram Bahadur Rai, President of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), University of Jammu Vice Chancellor Prof Umesh Rai, members of the Dr Suresh Awasthi Smriti Nyas, academicians, literary personalities and students.
