peaking at the Dr. Suresh Awasthi Smriti Nyas commemorative event in Varanasi, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that artificial intelligence has fundamentally transformed the way people learn, work, and are hired, making it one of the defining technologies of the modern economy. In his keynote address on "AI: Effects and Side-Effects," he compared AI to historic innovations such as the wheel, the printing press, electricity, and the internet, arguing that humanity has entered another major technological era.
Sinha emphasized that AI is already improving lives across India by expanding access to education, healthcare, agriculture, and government services. He noted that even in remote villages, AI-powered tools are enabling health workers to conduct medical screenings, helping farmers receive real-time weather and crop advice, and allowing students to access high-quality lessons in their native languages. According to him, AI has the potential to democratize opportunity by making essential services more accessible and inclusive.
At the same time, the Lieutenant Governor stressed that AI must be adopted responsibly and ethically. He argued that India has a long tradition of balancing scientific progress with moral values and should apply the same philosophy to AI development. Rather than comparing humans with machines, Sinha said the objective should be to ensure that AI extends human capabilities instead of replacing people, while safeguarding human dignity and social welfare.
The address concluded with a call for society to embrace AI while preparing for its long-term economic and social implications. Sinha encouraged policymakers, educators, businesses, and citizens to develop AI skills, promote responsible innovation, and ensure that technological progress remains centered on human welfare. His remarks reflect a broader global conversation that AI will reshape labor markets and industries, making workforce reskilling, ethical governance, and human-AI collaboration essential for the future.
