Dr. Somak Sen

St. Xavier's University, Kolkata (SXUK) hosted its second peace lecture series on March 23, 2026, at the university campus. The event, themed "Ethical Leadership in Public Governance," featured Dr. Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur, as the keynote speaker and Chief Guest.

In his inaugural address, Rev Dr. John Felix Raj, SJ, Vice-Chancellor of SXUK, emphasized that peace encompasses not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice and harmony in society. He highlighted the need for checks and balances in AI usage, stating it should augment human capabilities without taking over.

Dr. Chakraborty, an alumnus of a Jesuit institution, urged students to prioritize human values over data-driven decision-making. He stressed that AI analysis can be biased and ethically ambiguous, underscoring the importance of conscience and moral judgment in public governance. He advised students to adhere to core principles like inclusivity, ethics, and transparency when engaging with AI technologies.

Dr. Chakraborty emphasized, "Never outsource your conscience to a system, however intelligent it may be. Algorithms can assist decisions; they cannot replace moral responsibility." He added, "When history looks back at your generation, it will not say you built powerful systems, but whether you built a just society in an age where injustice could have been automated."

The event concluded with the distribution of silver and bronze medals to rank holders from various departments. Father Dr. Xavier Jeyaraj, SJ, delivered the vote of thanks.