DW Bureau | Chandigarh, Oct 24: Artificial Intelligence (AI) should enhance human intelligence rather than replace creativity, ethical judgement and compassion, architect and educationist Dr Surindera Singh Bhatti said while delivering the 18th First Friday Forum (FFF) Oration in Chandigarh.

Speaking on “Education and Artificial Intelligence: From Knowledge to Awakening”, Bhatti described AI as “Frozen Human Intelligence” and stressed that technological progress must remain guided by human values. He advocated an education system that combines humanities, art, science and technology to promote critical thinking, creativity and responsible citizenship.

The programme also featured the release of eight books authored by Bhatti, the felicitation of five personalities for their contributions to education, science, art and literacy, and a donation of 24 books for libraries being established across Punjab.

The books released included The Muse of Metaphors, Holistic Humanism, FUTURELIGHT, Wayward Verses (Covid-19 Creativity in Poetry) and Town Planning and Architecture in India, along with three other works covering architecture, art and poetry.

Chief guest Prof RS Bawa, former Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor of Chandigarh University, and other academicians and professionals released the books. The Forum honoured Bawa for his contribution to university education, Prof IS Dua for research in botany, artist Prof Prem Singh for art education, engineer ML Garg for promoting literacy, and Prof Swati Behl Uppal for architectural education.

Bhatti presented 24 books to Garg for distribution among libraries being established across Punjab, highlighting the role of reading and access to knowledge in promoting literacy.

Addressing the gathering, Dua emphasised ecological sensitivity and said AI could expand access to knowledge while preserving human creativity and critical thinking. Bawa recalled his association with Bhatti dating back to the 1980s and acknowledged his contribution to architectural education and student mentorship.

The programme brought together academicians, architects, scientists, artists, writers and students for discussions on education, technology and human values.