December 23, 2025, shall remain etched in my memory for more than one reason. Degree College, Bijbehara organised an academic event on the theme Artificial Intelligence, Education, and the New Epistemic Order. Scholars from within and outside the institution presented insightful papers, and, significantly, students participated actively by raising thoughtful and probing questions.

The beauty of the event lay in the fact that scientists and social scientists shared the same podium and deliberated on a common theme. Earlier, the college had also organised an event on the G 20. The principal of the college remained present throughout the day, attentively listening to both speakers and students, despite holding additional charge of two other colleges. A strong spirit of camaraderie was clearly evident. Courage, commitment, and character are the hallmarks of academic leadership—qualities that have become increasingly rare in contemporary times. This write-up formed the subject matter of my address at the function in my capacity as Chief Guest.

Introduction

The sub-themes were carefully chosen. A broad consensus emerged that artificial intelligence (AI) can be viewed both as a movement towards the democratisation of knowledge and, simultaneously, as a potential force for its dehumanisation, if necessary, precautions are not taken at various levels. This dual nature by the way is true of all technologies that have shaped human life across the world. Education remains a powerful instrument, and quality education is, in itself, a vital skill. Nearly eighty percent of our students are enrolled at the college level; therefore, we must safeguard the classroom as a critical space. We live in times when deliberative spaces—such as the family, community, and civil society—have suffered serious ruptures. Consequently, the role of the classroom teacher has increased phenomenally. There is an urgent need to reclaim pedagogy, one of the core themes of this academic event.

There are three immediate contextual issues that impinge upon classroom spaces, and pedagogy must be employed........

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