Tata Memorial Director Urges TISS Graduates to Prioritise Human Judgement Over AI

Emphasising that artificial intelligence cannot comprehend human suffering, Dr C.S. Pramesh, Director of Tata Memorial Hospital, urged graduating students at the 86th convocation ceremony of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai to rely on human judgment and preserve their core values in an increasingly automated world.

A total of 1,376 students comprised the graduating cohort at the ceremony, where speakers addressed the growing role of emerging technology in society alongside institutional milestones and challenges.

Dr Pramesh told the graduating class that while artificial intelligence is capable of processing vast amounts of past data, it lacks the ability to truly understand human suffering. Because of this limitation, he noted, human judgment must continue to supersede automated systems.

Chancellor D.P. Singh also addressed the gathering, invoking the mythological narrative of Samudra Manthan to reflect on technological disruption. He observed that just as Durvasa's curse led the devtas and asurs to churn the ocean—bringing forth poison before the elixir of immortality—artificial intelligence represents the churning of the modern age. He stated that AI brings both potential and harm, requiring human wisdom to navigate effectively.

Chancellor Singh lauded the graduating class as part of the "most empowered generation," noting that students now hold ancient libraries and weather forecasts on a single slab of glass. He also expressed gratitude to the families of the graduates for their quiet sacrifices behind the scenes.

During the convocation, TISS announced the establishment of the Viksit Bharat Vichar Kendra, a think tank, along with a new Centre for AI under the Ratan Tata School of Analytics. The institute also noted an ongoing staffing deficit, reporting that only 130 of its 189 UGC-sanctioned posts are currently filled.