Cuddalore: Stating that COVID-19 tested the resilience and cooperation of nations worldwide, national tuberculosis elimination programme principal advisor Sowmya Swaminathan said lessons learned from the pandemic would be invaluable in preparing for future health emergencies.
Speaking after presenting degrees to candidates during the 86th convocation ceremony of Annamalai University in the presence of governor R N Ravi at Chidambaram on Thursday, Sowmya said India should invest in building resilient health and education systems.
“By prioritising public health, education, and innovation, India can overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and emerge stronger than before,” she said. Stating that another global phenomenon that influences the future is artificial intelligence (AI), and it is essential to recognise its potential.
“AI has the power to revolutionise various fields: from healthcare to education, from engineering to agriculture, and humanities to space science. However, it is crucial to embrace AI responsibly and ethically, ensuring that it is used to augment human capabilities rather than replace them,” she said, adding the pandemic has had a profound impact on India, particularly on its education and healthcare.
“The rapid adoption of digital technologies, such as telemedicine and online education, has demonstrated the potential for innovation to improve access to essential services, in remote areas,” she said.
