The director of IIT Roorkee emphasised that artificial intelligence (AI) should be used as a tool to enhance human capabilities, particularly human empathy, rather than to replace the human qualities that define social and ethical life. In remarks reflecting broader debates in India about AI’s role in society, he stressed that while AI can automate tasks and increase efficiency, it cannot replicate human emotional intelligence, moral judgment, and empathy — qualities critical to leadership, interpersonal care, and community cohesion. This perspective aligns with emerging views that AI must complement, not substitute, the human touch in areas where understanding and compassion matter most.
The article places these remarks in the context of Tamil Nadu’s growing engagement with AI policy and research. State and academic leaders are increasingly pushing for an approach to AI that prioritises human‑centric development, ensuring advances support education, healthcare, and inclusive economic growth without undermining social values. Rather than a narrow focus on automation, policymakers and educators argue that AI should amplify human strengths — such as empathy, creativity, and ethical reasoning — which machines fundamentally lack. This reflects a broader Indian conversation about striking the right balance between innovation and societal well‑being.
The director also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary education as AI spreads across sectors. He noted that future leaders and professionals must combine technical proficiency with emotional and humanistic skills — a blend that enables them to use AI tools responsibly and ethically. This approach echoes ongoing discussions in academia about preparing students not just to use AI, but to lead in ways that preserve human agency and empathy even as technologies become more powerful. Experts say that embracing this mindset early will help societies manage AI’s disruptions in ways that uplift rather than displace human dignity.
Overall, the message is clear: AI should be a partner to humanity, not a replacement. While AI can magnify productivity and extend human reach into areas like data analysis and predictive modelling, it remains fundamentally unable to embody the emotional nuance and ethical discernment that characterize human interaction. Leaders argue that the future of AI hinges on frameworks that prioritise human values and empathy, ensuring that technological progress reinforces rather than erodes our shared social fabric.
