Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to perpetuate discrimination and amplify biases, according to Chief Justice of India, Justice D Y Chandrachud. Speaking at the 60th convocation of IIT Madras, he highlighted the dangers of AI recruitment tools favoring men over women due to being trained on primarily male successful employees. These data-driven systems can perpetuate bias and marginalize social control mechanisms. The misuse of AI technology, such as image-generating software to create deep fakes, is another concern raised by the Chief Justice.
Justice Chandrachud emphasized the challenges faced by graduating students in curbing the misuse of technology. He stressed the importance of technology not instilling fear in users, as this can impede freedom of expression. The Chief Justice also mentioned that when technology fails to address negative behaviors, the law will step in to protect individual rights. He urged students to consider human and societal values when working on new technologies.
The value of video conferencing technology was also highlighted, extending beyond mere communication and collaboration to inclusivity and access to justice. However, the Chief Justice cautioned that electronic communication carries the potential for mass surveillance and privacy invasion.
During the convocation, IIT Madras recognized the achievements of its students. Sai Gautham Ravipati, an electrical engineering student, received the President of India prize and M Visvesvaraya memorial prize for achieving the highest CGPA among BTech and dual degree students. A total of 2,573 students graduated, including those completing PhDs, BTech, dual degrees, and MTech degrees.
Pawan Goenka, chairman of the board of governors of IIT Madras, highlighted the significant increase in research and development funding, with 40% coming from industry. The expansion of funding demonstrates the growing importance of research and innovation within the institution.
In conclusion, the speech by Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized the potential dangers and challenges posed by AI and technology. His words served as a reminder of the need to consider human values when developing new technologies, while also highlighting the importance of guarding against discrimination and misuse. The achievements of IIT Madras students reflect their dedication to academic excellence and the institution’s commitment to fostering innovation.
