72nd FOUNDERS DAY & 5th DR. RAJENDRA PRASAD MEMORIAL LECTURE ON THE THEME: AI FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE

I touch and salute the holy feet of Bharat Mata, the Most Powerful and the Most Merciful.

On the occasion of the 5th Dr. Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture on the theme, “AI for good governance”, the dignitaries sharing the dais with me, Hon’ble Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh Ji; Director-General, I.I.P.A, Dr. Surendra Kumar Bagde Ji; Honoured guests, faculty members, other distinguished dignitaries, and my dear Bhaiyon and Behnon. Sabko Namaskar!

At the outset, I would like to congratulate each one of you present here today on the occasion of the 72nd Founders’ Day. I am pleased to learn that since 2022, a special lecture, “Dr. Rajendra Prasad Annual Memorial Lecture,” has been instituted.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ji was a stalwart. His true greatness lies in the fact that he left a rewarding legal career to join the freedom struggle movement. Another extraordinary fact about him is that he was always firm in his beliefs and acted according to his moral conscience and convictions. I recall that after becoming the President of Bharat, he had visited the Somnath Temple despite resistance from prominent national leaders at that time.

Even today, he is fondly remembered for his simple lifestyle and commitment to public duties. His life reminds us that true governance is not about power; it is about service. This lecture series, in the memory of the Chairman of our Constituent Assembly and first President of India is a befitting way to commemorate his legacy.

While commencing the lecture on AI for Good Governance, I would like to invoke a shloka from our Upanishads, “May all be happy, may all be free from illness, and may none suffer”. This is not just a prayer from our ancient scriptures; it is a dream. A dream of a just, inclusive, and compassionate society. And today, I stand before you to say that this dream is closer to reality than ever before, because of the power of Artificial Intelligence.

My dear friends, we are today living in one of the most exciting times in human history. A time where machines can learn, systems can think, and technology can transform lives. Yes, we are living in the Age of AI. Artificial Intelligence is redefining what governance can achieve. It is giving Governments a new superpower, the power to understand, to respond, and to serve better than ever before. But firstly, let me ask you a question: What is the true purpose of governance? Governance is not about making rules, policies or creating systems alone. The true purpose of governance is about people; it is about empowering people and ensuring that no one is left behind. And this is exactly where I see AI making a difference.

AI is not just a tool of technology; it is an enabler for building a Viksit Bharat that is inclusive, efficient, and future-ready. In the journey towards a developed Bharat by 2047, AI empowers governance to become faster, smarter, and more transparent, ensuring that every citizen benefits equally. With AI, governance is no longer limited by distance or delay — it reaches the last person in the queue with precision and dignity. AI strengthens the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas by ensuring targeted delivery of welfare and reducing leakages. In a Viksit Bharat, AI will act as a bridge between policy and people, transforming intent into impactful action. It will enable data-driven decisions, improve public service delivery, and build trust between citizens and institutions.

Friends

India today stands at the forefront of this transformation under the visionary leadership of our Hon’ble PM, Shriman Narendra Modi Ji. In a country as diverse as Bharat, language was once a barrier. But today, AI-powered platforms are breaking that barrier. People can have government services in their own native language through voice-based, text-based, and real-time translation.

As the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, I am proud to announce that the parliamentary papers are available in multiple Indian languages. This has been made possible because of the AI interface. India’s national AI-powered language platform under Digital India, BHASHINI has broken the linguistic barrier to inclusive governance. This is more than just innovation; it is inclusion and dignity.

In healthcare governance, AI is becoming a silent lifesaver. AI-assisted TB screening, AI-enabled portable X-ray devices, e-Sanjeevani telemedicine platform, the list is endless. AI is making positive waves by ensuring that distance is no longer a barrier to healthcare. Similar narratives are also found in agriculture, MSMEs, cybersecurity, the judiciary, the administrative field and many others. Just like how there is no field that governance does not touch. Similarly, there is no field left on earth that AI has not touched.

My dear friends, how ready is Bharat to lead in the field of AI? According to Stanford rankings, we ranked third in the Global AI Vibrancy Tool. The government has launched the India AI Governance Guidelines, which reorient AI policy from a focus on applications to governance frameworks, safeguards, and institutional preparedness. Several steps have been taken to support new technologies through the India-AI Mission, the National Quantum Mission, Anusandhan National Research Fund.

We were one of the first nations to recognise that cutting-edge technologies, including AI applications, are force multipliers for better governance. The recently concluded AI Impact Summit in Delhi had seen India emerge as a global leader. During the Summit, I had the opportunity to interact with several CEOs from leading AI and allied firms. They all shared a common sentiment that India’s potential in the field of Artificial Intelligence is truly immense and filled with limitless possibilities.

I urge all of you to make a commitment to embrace AI. When computers were first introduced, many feared they would reduce job opportunities. However, over time, it became clear that computers actually created new avenues of employment and empowered the youth with diverse opportunities. When we speak about building an AI-ready youth skillforce, one thing becomes very clear—no single scheme can achieve this goal alone.

I am happy to see that the Government has converged schemes such as Skill India digital Hub; National Education Policy; Yuva-AI to and many others to create a broader national ecosystem that is globally competitive and future-oriented. I urge the youth of today, and also those in the field of governance to equip yourselves with the knowledge of emerging technologies.

Friends

Every great power comes with great responsibility, so does AI. I recall the timeless wisdom of the great saintly Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar today. He said in his Thirukkural,

“ஒல்லும்வகையான்அறவினை
ஓவாதேசெல்லும்வாய்எல்லாஞ்செயல்,”.

This means we must never stop doing what is right and must use every opportunity to act with righteousness.

In today’s age of Artificial Intelligence, this teaching becomes deeply relevant. While AI has the power to transform governance and influence millions of lives, it is our responsibility to ensure that it is always guided by ethics, fairness, and accountability. We are moving forward with a clear vision. Artificial Intelligence is not just a technological revolution—it is a human revolution. It is a tool for good governance with which we can build a society that is more just, more inclusive, and more compassionate.

Friends

I would conclude by saying, let us embrace AI as a force for the greater good — a force that helps us build a just, inclusive, and progressive society. Let us lead it — with wisdom, with responsibility, and with a vision for a better tomorrow.

• Jai Hind!
• Long Live Mother Bharat!

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