15-09-2026:“AI for Democracy Building Inclusive Governance in the Intelligent Age” Address by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand
Jai Hind!
Revered Acharyas, distinguished office-bearers of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya and All World Gayatri Pariwar, representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, esteemed dignitaries on the dais, ambassadors from India and abroad, experts, academicians, researchers, professors, dear students, and distinguished guests.
It gives me immense pleasure to be amongst you at the valedictory ceremony of this important international dialogue on “AI for Democracy: Building Inclusive Governance in the Intelligent Age,” being held in the sacred city of Haridwar, on the holy banks of Maa Ganga, and at this knowledge centre of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya.
The gracious participation of representatives, experts and thinkers from different countries has given this dialogue a truly global perspective and a wider sense of purpose. Organised by Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya and All World Gayatri Pariwar, in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, this conference has provided an important platform to explore a new and meaningful relationship between technology, democracy and inclusive governance.
It is a matter of great satisfaction that such an important global discourse is receiving a new direction from the sacred land of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to the organisers and all the partner institutions for conceiving and hosting this visionary and timely dialogue.
The success of a dialogue does not lie merely in how many ideas are presented. Its real success lies in what resolve, direction and responsibility we carry forward from those ideas.
Last year, in this very auditorium, we reflected upon the relationship between Artificial Intelligence and spirituality. The question then was: Can thinking technology find harmony with a civilisation that reflects and contemplates?
This year, the question has moved one step further: Can thinking technology establish harmony with a society that chooses its own government?
This, in essence, is the fundamental question at the intersection of democracy and Artificial Intelligence.
In many of my addresses, I speak about the significance of AI because AI is no longer merely a technology of the future. It is already transforming our present and will play a defining role in shaping the future.
From education, healthcare, agriculture and industry to administration, security, public services and research, its possibilities are vast.
But the question is not merely how intelligent a machine can become.
The larger question is: How wisely will we use that intelligence, and in whose interest?
I believe Artificial Intelligence can take the capabilities of human intelligence to new heights. But for democracy, we must add another essential dimension to the word intelligence—responsible intelligence.
A capability that cannot be questioned is not merely intelligence; it can become power.
The soul of democracy lies in human dignity, equality, participation, transparency and accountability.
AI can help strengthen each of these values. It can take information about government schemes to the remotest village, where perhaps no file or official communication ever reached. It can help citizens understand laws and public services in their own language. It can make policymaking more evidence-based and responsive.
But alongside technology, the protection of truth and trust is equally important.
Artificial Intelligence can manipulate voices, images and statements to such an extent that distinguishing between the real and the artificial can become extremely difficult.
Therefore, the responsibility to protect truth cannot rest with governments alone. It is also the responsibility of everyone associated with technology, media and the creative sectors.
We must also ensure that AI does not carry the prejudices of the past into the future.
Bias in an algorithm is not merely a technical problem; it is a question of justice.
Our vision must therefore be that of Antyodaya—the welfare and empowerment of the person at the very end of the social and developmental spectrum.
The last village, the last family and the last individual must not be left behind in this technological journey.
If the benefits of AI reach only those who have better internet connectivity, better education and knowledge of technological languages, then inequality will not disappear. It will simply acquire a new form.
That is why, in decisions affecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, human responsibility is indispensable.
AI can assist decision-making, but it cannot replace responsibility.
The participation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in this dialogue is therefore especially significant.
The discussion on AI cannot remain confined to technology institutions alone. Parliament is the place where technology ultimately meets the will and consent of the people.
It is legislation that determines the boundaries within which technology should be used and establishes how the rights of citizens are to be protected.
In the justice system, AI can assist with translation, case management and reducing delays in the delivery of justice.
But a judicial decision is not merely a technological output. It is a decision rooted in human wisdom, discretion and accountability.
Technology can assist the courts, but it cannot become the conscience of the court.
India has a distinctive perspective to contribute to this global dialogue.
Our civilisation has always taught us that knowledge must be accompanied by responsibility, and capability must be directed towards the welfare of society.
This wisdom is beautifully expressed in the ancient Sanskrit maxim:
“सा विद्या या विमुक्तये।”
That alone is true knowledge which leads to liberation.
Therefore, the question before AI should not merely be:
“What can it do?”
We must also ask:
“Whom is it empowering—and whom is it leaving behind?”
The place where we are gathered today gives this question an even deeper meaning.
Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya is carrying forward a vision that seeks harmony between science and spirituality, reminding us that external transformation must be accompanied by inner transformation.
This, perhaps, is the most beautiful dialogue between Sanatan culture and Artificial Intelligence:
Technology can provide knowledge, but culture determines the direction in which that knowledge is used.
There is also an interesting parallel between Sanskrit and the language of computers.
I do not suggest that Sanskrit is a computer language. But its highly structured grammatical framework reminds us of the importance of precision, clarity, discipline and correct sequencing.
Computer instructions too must follow a defined structure.
In the age of AI, incorrect data and ambiguous instructions can lead to incorrect outcomes.
Therefore, we must not merely create intelligent machines; we must also nurture wise and discerning human beings.
India’s strength lies precisely in this confluence:
Ancient knowledge with modern science.
Values with innovation.
Culture with computing.
Technology can give us speed, but culture gives us direction.
This thought becomes even more relevant in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.
In a Himalayan state with challenging geographical conditions, AI can play an important role in early disaster warning, monitoring rivers and forests, crowd management during the Char Dham Yatra and major religious gatherings such as the forthcoming Kumbh, providing healthcare and education in remote areas, strengthening agriculture and horticulture, and addressing challenges such as migration.
But our measure of success should not be how much technology we have developed.
The real measure of success is:
How many lives have become better because of it?
My young friends,
You are not merely entering an age transformed by Artificial Intelligence.
You will help determine what this age becomes.
Learn technology deeply. Innovate. Experiment. Explore.
But never allow technological capability to become disconnected from human responsibility.
Always ask yourself two questions:
“Can this be done?”
And alongside it:
“Should this be done?”
Four decades of military service have taught me that capability, when not guided by discipline, can become a danger rather than a strength.
The same principle applies to Artificial Intelligence.
Therefore, our resolve must be clear:
Wisdom with knowledge.
Ethics with technology.
Responsibility with innovation.
And humanity with intelligence.
When India celebrates the centenary of its Independence in 2047, it will be the youth of today who will be shaping the direction of the nation.
The journey towards a Viksit Bharat will not be completed through technological achievements alone.
Human values, social justice, self-reliance and cultural confidence will be equally essential to that journey.
The presence of representatives from different countries reminds us that while our circumstances may be different, our aspirations are fundamentally the same:
Peace. Dignity. Justice. And a better future.
Therefore, let AI become not a force that divides humanity, but a bridge that connects us.
Let it be powerful, but responsible.
Innovative, but inclusive.
Intelligent, but human.
Let us build a future where the power of Artificial Intelligence and the consciousness of India’s knowledge traditions move forward together; where democracy becomes more participatory, governance becomes more sensitive and responsive, and the benefits of development reach the last person in society.
Because ultimately, our identity will not be defined by how many intelligent machines we have created.
Our identity will be defined by how much more human we have made human life through the intelligence of those machines.
With this resolve, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, All World Gayatri Pariwar, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, all experts, scholars, diplomats, participants and young friends for the successful organisation of this important dialogue.
From knowledge to wisdom,
from wisdom to discernment,
from discernment to service,
and from service to nation-building—
may this be our journey.
With this prayer and aspiration, I conclude my address.
Vande Mataram! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Jai Hind!