New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday cautioned students against becoming overly dependent on technology, stressing that artificial intelligence should be used for guidance and value addition, and not as a substitute for learning.

Interacting with students during the second episode of the ninth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha, the prime minister said mobile phones had become “masters” for some children, who cannot even eat food without watching a screen.

“Every era has faced concerns with new technologies, whether computers or mobile phones. Fear is unnecessary, but technology must not become the master of human life. You must resolve that you will not let technology enslave you,” Modi said.

The interaction involved students from Coimbatore, Raipur, Guwahati and Gujarat.

Urging students not to fear emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Modi said they should instead use them to sharpen their skills.

“We should not make AI or mobile phones our masters. AI should be used for guidance and value addition, not as a substitute for learning,” he said, adding that the nature of jobs would continue to evolve, just as transport moved from bullock carts to aeroplanes.

“Life continues. Understanding technology, expanding one's capabilities and integrating its strengths into work ensures progress without fear,” the prime minister said.

Modi also advised students to practise previous years' question papers and ensure adequate sleep to perform well in examinations.

“You will never feel tense if you prepare well. A good night's sleep keeps you cheerful throughout the day,” he said, while urging parents not to compare their children with others.

On leadership, Modi said fearlessness was the first quality of a leader.

“Leadership begins when one decides to act without waiting for others. It is not about elections or speeches, but about the ability to explain and convince,” he said, adding that true leaders first understand people before guiding them.

He advised students to develop the habit of taking initiative and to practise clear communication.

On career choices, the prime minister said frequent changes in aspirations could confuse families but added that inspiration from successful people was natural.

“One should look not only at achievements but also at the effort and discipline behind success. True success makes its own noise,” he said.

Addressing questions on balancing studies and passion, Modi said both could complement each other, suggesting that creativity, including art, could aid learning and reduce fatigue.

On startups, he said there was no age barrier to entrepreneurship and encouraged students to work in small teams, visit existing startups and prepare project reports to gain practical exposure.

The prime minister said it was heartening to see students of Classes 10 and 12 carrying the dream of Viksit Bharat 2047, and urged them to adopt disciplined habits such as avoiding food wastage and switching off engines at traffic signals.

Recalling his student days, Modi underlined the role of teachers and parents in shaping lives, noting that physical exercise was strongly emphasised by his teachers.

The first episode of the ninth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha was aired last week. Launched in 2018, the programme has grown into one of India's largest student engagement initiatives, recording over 4.5 crore registrations this year, a new Guinness World Record.