Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw cautions against letting AI overshadow human creativity

Human imagination should remain at the heart of innovation, says Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

As debates intensify over whether artificial intelligence could eventually replace humans at work, Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has firmly dismissed the idea, stressing that AI must never substitute human creativity or critical thinking.

Responding to comments by Nobel laureate Paul Nurse, Mazumdar-Shaw stressed the importance of viewing AI strictly as an enabling tool rather than an ultimate authority. Nurse had earlier advised people to treat AI as a source of information that should aid but not replace human judgement and creativity.

Echoing this view in a post on X, Mazumdar-Shaw said AI has immense potential to deliver innovative solutions quickly and at scale, but warned against allowing it to erode imagination or independent thinking. Drawing a clear line between technology and human intellect, she said such clarity would help society adopt disruptive technologies without fear or overdependence.

AI is a powerful tool for delivering innovative, high-impact solutions with speed and at scale. It should not, however, replace human creativity or diminish the power of imagination and critical thinking. Clearly defining this distinction allows us to embrace emerging and… https://t.co/CkxBtJWM4k

— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) February 23, 2026

Sridhar Vembu makes similar statements

Similar concerns were earlier raised by Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu, who argued that technologists have a responsibility to ensure AI does not overpower human agency. His remarks came in response to comments by OpenAI chief Sam Altman, who recently compared the resources used to train AI models with those required to raise and educate humans over decades, in an interview with The Indian Express.

Vembu strongly rejected the comparison, saying he does not support equating technology with human life. He emphasised that technology should remain in the background, quietly assisting people rather than directing or defining human existence.

At the same time, Vembu acknowledged AI’s growing practical value, particularly in software development. He noted that AI is already capable of writing high-quality code and could significantly enhance productivity. He added that Indian IT companies, given their close engagement with global clients, are well positioned to translate AI capabilities into real-world applications without losing sight of human priorities.