Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday, 22 September declared that while technology can never substitute a teacher, it will fundamentally transform what teaching means in the age of artificial intelligence. Speaking at the University of Jammu, Sinha urged students and faculty to treat AI as a companion, not a master, and to anchor every technological advance in human values and accountability.

New Facilities Inaugurated at University of Jammu

L-G Sinha inaugurated a series of infrastructure additions at the university, including a modern sports complex, a shooting range, high-mast lights for the cricket stadium, and the Tawi Guest House complex — all developed at a combined cost of nearly ₹10 crore. Congratulating Vice Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai and other stakeholders, Sinha noted that while physical infrastructure matters, the true transformation of an institution lies in the values, ideas, and innovations it nurtures within its walls.

The AI Challenge: Humanity Must Stay in Command

Sinha warned the gathering that AI represents a 'quadruple-use' technology capable of operating independently and producing both beneficial and deeply harmful outcomes. He stressed that decisions affecting human dignity, livelihood, health, and freedom must always rest with accountable human beings, not machines.

'The day technology becomes the master of humanity, our very existence will be at risk. Machines can calculate, but they cannot feel. Machines can predict, but they cannot bear responsibility for decisions. Machines can mimic the language of compassion, but they do not stand at a patient's bedside at midnight, nor do they carry the moral weight of a judge's verdict,' Sinha said.

He added: 'My clear view is that every decision that deeply affects a person's freedom, livelihood, health, education, or dignity must have a human behind it, who understands the decision, accepts responsibility for it, and can be held accountable.'

Five Challenges for Higher Education

The L-G outlined five pressing challenges confronting higher education today. He called for curricula that adapt rapidly to match the pace of change, an end to rote learning in favour of application and purpose-driven classrooms, a culture that rewards curiosity and original reasoning over memorisation, and a commitment to ensuring technology does not deepen the divide between rural and urban learners.

'It is true that no technology can replace a teacher. But it is equally true that technology will certainly change the teacher's role. The teacher of the future will not merely be an information-giver; they will be a mentor, a guru, a questioner, and an inspiring personality who ignites curiosity and builds character in students,' Sinha said.

Six Guiding Messages for Students and Teachers

For the student and teacher community, Sinha shared six guiding principles: embrace lifelong learning; cultivate uniquely human capacities such as creativity and empathy; build bridges across disciplines; contribute actively to national development; balance academics with sport; and remain rooted in tradition and values. He urged young people to become embodiments of both science and Sanskar.

'Powerful tools in honest hands can achieve great work, but in the wrong hands, the same tools can cause serious harm. In the age of AI, the modern tools and machines have become more powerful than ever, and so the hands that wield them must possess greater steadiness, values, Sanskar, and wisdom,' he said.

Who Attended the Ceremony

The inauguration was attended by Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Tejinder Singh, IGP Jammu; Shridhar Patil, DIG JSK Range; Dr Rakesh Minhas, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; along with senior faculty including Prof. J.P. Singh Joorel, Dean Academic Affairs; Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies; Prof. Sangita Gupta, Dean Planning and Development; and Dr Neeraj Sharma, Registrar. Heads of departments, faculty members, and students were also present. As India's first generation to grow up alongside AI, Sinha reminded students that the responsibility of shaping a future where humanity flourishes rests squarely on their shoulders.