''Knowledge is power'' being replaced by ''Power is knowledge'' is a dangerous concept for human civilization: Professor Shambhunath

Patna, August 5: (ABN) Emphasizing the need for serious deliberation on the future of knowledge amidst the changing landscape of knowledge, civilization, and democracy, Professor Shambhunath, a prominent thinker, critic, and litterateur of the country, said at the annual Khuda Bakhsh Lecture held at Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library on the occasion of Khuda Bakhsh Khan Day that today the world is at a juncture where the concept of "knowledge is power" is being replaced by the theory of "power is knowledge", which is a serious challenge to human civilization, democratic values, and intellectual freedom.

On the occasion of Khuda Bakhsh Khan Day, at the annual Khuda Bakhsh Lecture held at Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Professor Shambhunath, Director of Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad, Kolkata, delivered a thought-provoking and insightful address on the topic "Future of Knowledge". He said that the entire history of human civilization is a history of continuous quest for knowledge, questioning, and seeking truth. Today, when the world has entered a new era of artificial intelligence (AI), the biggest question is whether knowledge will be able to retain its original spirit or will it become merely a tool of information and power.

He said that the tradition of knowledge is not indebted to any one era or invention, but is the result of centuries of intellectual discipline. It is a misconception that the advancement of knowledge is a product of the current digital age. In every era, scholars have advanced human thought through research, dialogue, criticism, and experimentation. The means have changed, but the fundamental values of knowledge have not.

Professor Shambhunath said that a dangerous trend is emerging in the present era, where crowds, noise, and power are being considered as the criteria for truth and justice, rather than books, research, and argument. He expressed regret that earlier it was said "knowledge is power", but now the concept is being created that "power is knowledge". This change is not only a threat to knowledge but also to democracy, civilization, and human freedom.

He said that the future of knowledge is linked to the extent to which democracy, tolerance, critical thinking, and cultural values are preserved in the world. If the tradition of questioning, dissent, and independent thinking is weakened, knowledge will also lose its creative power. Knowledge is not only produced in universities, research institutions, or libraries, but is also constructed from the grassroots level, public experiences, and everyday life observations.

In his address, he said that artificial intelligence is certainly making knowledge acquisition easier, but AI cannot be a substitute for human consciousness, feeling, moral responsibility, and creative insight. Machines can provide information, but cannot produce wisdom, insight, and justice. Therefore, humans must preserve their critical ability and intellectual freedom at all costs.

He further said that when humor, questioning, and self-reflection disappear from knowledge, it becomes stagnant. There is an essential relationship between knowledge and justice, as justice without knowledge is blind and knowledge without justice is purposeless. Today, if superficial information is being called knowledge, the result will be ignorance, prejudice, and intellectual slavery. He emphasized that history is a witness that governments have always been afraid of free thought and genuine knowledge, as it is not easy to enslave a conscious human being.

At the beginning of the event, prominent Urdu and Hindi scholar Professor Safdar Imam Qadri, while delivering the welcome address, said that "Future of Knowledge" is the most important topic of the current era, as the world is rapidly entering the digital and artificial intelligence age. He mentioned Professor Shambhunath's academic services and said that his thoughts are a guiding capital for the new generation and his ideas help understand the intellectual crisis of the present era.

Presiding over the session, former Chief Secretary of Bihar Government, Shri Tripurari Sharan, said that while appreciating Professor Shambhunath's lecture, it is necessary to point out the danger of blind worship of AI, which wants to enslave us and create an environment where inquiry is not born. We need to be aware of the adverse effects of this environment and build an environment where our knowledge remains free and the ability to inquire is developed within us. Digital technology can store and process data, but human understanding, creative ability, and critical thinking convert knowledge into intelligence.

In the coming times, knowledge will not be limited to books, but will be easily available on a global scale through technology. He emphasized the need to create an environment where the new generation can question, research, and seek truth. At the conclusion of the event, Professor Safdar Imam Qadri thanked the guest, participants, and organizers, while Dr. Mohammad Zakir Hussain performed the duties of moderation. A large number of teachers, researchers, students, and intellectuals from academic, literary, and social circles were present on the occasion, who considered Professor Shambhunath's address as an important document on the intellectual challenges of the present era.