Pune: Human Judgement Remains Vital in the Age of AI, Says EFLU Vice-Chancellor N Nagaraju

Pune: Prof N Nagaraju, Vice-Chancellor of the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) in Hyderabad, emphasized that human judgment, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning are indispensable alongside technological skills in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Addressing the 20th International and 56th Annual Conference of the English Language Teachers Association of India (ELTAI), Nagaraju urged universities to integrate AI literacy into all academic disciplines, rather than limiting it to engineering and computer science.

He stressed that while AI can help with writing, information analysis, and generating answers, humans must still discern truth from falsehood, evaluate evidence, and make ethical decisions. Nagaraju drew on John Keats' concept of "negative capability," advocating that universities nurture an environment where students and faculty can navigate uncertainty and make well-considered decisions.

He also addressed the evolving global landscape of higher education, with increased student mobility, cross-border academic partnerships, and new models of international campuses, urging Indian institutions to adapt their global engagement strategies. Nagaraju highlighted the enduring importance of languages in higher education, advocating for a balance between preserving India's linguistic and cultural heritage and embracing English as a key medium for international academic communication.

He also highlighted the ongoing relevance of Indian English in the country's educational and linguistic context. Beyond technological integration, Nagaraju stressed that universities' mission to foster knowledge, discern reality from fabrication, and grapple with ethical questions remains paramount, even as AI transforms teaching and learning.