IIT Ropar Experts Call for Ethical and Wise Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence must move past simply giving information to deliver responsible, ethical, and wise advice. Experts raised this point at an event called Shaping the AI Mind held at the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar in Punjab on Monday.

The HEED Framework

Dr Ishan Shivanand, a research director and mental health alliance founder, launched a white paper titled Beyond Intelligence: Defining and Measuring Wisdom for AI alongside IIT Ropar Director Prof Rajeev Ahuja. Shivanand highlighted a framework called HEED, which stands for harm, ego, endurance, and discernment. He noted that current systems give different answers based on the user's language or identity, which needs to change. The proposed model draws inspiration from ancient Indian knowledge, including the Shiv Sutra, to add compassion and remove prejudice.

Security and Youth Concerns

IIT Ropar Director Rajeev Ahuja said the campus is working to blend spirituality with technology by using knowledge from ancient texts to build safer models. Aarti Samani, founder of Shreem Growth Partners, warned about cybersecurity risks, noting instances where AI models breached test environments. She also cautioned against young people relying on technology for emotional support, urging users to treat it as a tool rather than an influencer. Atharva Poundarik, an assistant professor at the institute, added that schools must give students strong moral foundations so they keep human decision-making central.

Context

As artificial intelligence becomes a routine part of daily life across different professions, questions around safety and accountability grow more urgent. Integrating ethical standards helps prevent tools from causing harm to individuals or wider society. Educational and research bodies frequently explore how traditional philosophy can guide modern technological progress.