Compassion Must Guide Technology, Says Satyarthi at IIT (ISM)

Jharkhandinc Bureau

DHANBAD, March 21: Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Saturday said compassion must guide technology, governance and public life, emphasising the need for ethical responsibility in decision-making.

Delivering the first centenary lecture at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Satyarthi said compassion should move beyond emotion and translate into action.

He said society needs to adopt what he described as a “Compassion Quotient” to ensure decisions are guided by responsibility towards others.

Satyarthi also raised concerns about emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and said such developments should be aligned with human values.

He called for “compassionate AI” to ensure that technological progress remains inclusive and socially responsible.

The lecture marked the launch of the Abanish Chandra and Binapani Sinha Memorial Lecture Series, instituted through an endowment by IIT (ISM) alumnus Mihir Sinha.

Officials said the lecture series aims to promote dialogue at the intersection of science, technology and society.

IIT (ISM) Director Prof. Sukumar Mishra said the lecture was significant in the institute’s centenary year and emphasised that scientific advancement should contribute to human welfare.

A message from Mihir Sinha, read during the event, highlighted the importance of integrating human values with academic and technological progress.

The programme was held at the Penman Auditorium and was attended by faculty members, students and staff.

Officials said the event reflects growing engagement within academic institutions on issues related to ethics, technology and societal impact.