IISc Director Warns Against Over-Reliance on AI at Convocation

Speaking at the third convocation of Adani University in Ahmedabad, Indian Institute of Science Director Prof Govindan Rangarajan likened artificial intelligence to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. He noted that while AI can serve as a patient personal tutor, it also presents potential dangers that require educational institutions to rethink their philosophies.

Rangarajan questioned the traditional purpose of attending universities, suggesting that human inspiration and social interaction provided by teachers are elements that technology cannot replicate. He also pointed to security challenges, mentioning a recent programming language bug that forced websites, including that of IISc, to temporarily go offline for patches.

The director cautioned graduates against surrendering their independent thought to automated systems. He urged students to cherish human relationships and ensure that humans remain in control of technology rather than merely acting as operators of prompt engines.

During the ceremony, Adani University president Priti Adani presided over the event where 374 degrees were awarded to graduating students. Additionally, ten students received academic medals, comprising five gold, three silver, and two bronze.