Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Artificial intelligence (AI) can create miracles if used judiciously, but without integrity, it can also be misused, as seen in the rise of deepfakes and misinformation, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, said on September 16. Inaugurating the centre of excellence for artificial intelligence, skill development, and innovation, Jitendra said integrity has no technological substitute.
Jitendra cautioned students and researchers that ethical choices must guide the use of new technologies. He stressed that AI should be seen as a tool to complement human intelligence, not replace it, and advocated a “hybrid model” combining technology with human judgment. India, once a late adopter of technologies like television, has now emerged at the forefront of space exploration and quantum research, the Minister said, adding that linking academic research with industry and startups was vital for sustaining this momentum.
“Every tool has a self-limiting utility if integrity is compromised. Only when we combine innovation with honesty can we truly shape India’s digital future,” he stated. Drawing from his own initiatives, the minister cited AI-enabled telemedicine vans deployed in rural India, where hybrid AI-human models provided healthcare to villages that had never seen a doctor. He linked such innovations to broader governance, noting that AI could enhance efficiency in grievance redressal but warned that without accountability, technology alone cannot satisfy citizens’ expectations.
