Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday emphasised the importance of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethically and responsibly to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities. He was speaking at the state-level inauguration of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Scheduled Tribes Development Department, which also coincided with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Over 300 tribal people from across the state reportedly participated in the event held at Kanakakunnnu Palace.

A dual celebration 

 “Today, we are celebrating the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Alongside, we are also inaugurating the state-level celebrations of the golden jubilee of the Kerala Scheduled Tribes Development Department. Various development projects for the Scheduled Tribes are also being launched here today,” the Chief Minister said.

He highlighted the relevance of this year’s theme, ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Protection of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights’, stressing its timeliness in an age of rapid technological advancement.


The double-edged sword of technology

“We are in the age of artificial intelligence and machine learning. While these technologies bring many benefits to humanity, their irresponsible use can also cause serious harm,” Vijayan warned.

He referred to concerns raised by the United Nations, noting that AI-generated content has sometimes been misused to spread misinformation about indigenous communities, or even to threaten their rights to land and resources. “However, we must also note that AI can be used responsibly for the welfare of the world,” he added.

Indigenous peoples among world’s poorest

Drawing attention to the global scale of the issue, Vijayan pointed out that there are approximately 480 million indigenous people across 90 countries, accounting for less than six per cent of the world’s population. Despite this, they represent nearly 15 per cent of the world’s poorest communities.

“They speak more than 7,000 languages and uphold over 5,000 distinct cultures. In this context, it is crucial that we recognise the unique identity of indigenous peoples and design programmes that truly address their needs,” he said.

Marking 50 years of the Kerala Scheduled Tribes Development Department, the Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s dedication to upholding the rights, dignity, and progress of Scheduled Tribes in the state.

Critique of central government's budget allocation

Vijayan also criticised the Union Government for its budgetary allocation towards Scheduled Tribes. “Although Scheduled Tribes make up 8.06 per cent of the country’s population, the Union Government allocates only 3.08 per cent in its budget. In contrast, Kerala, with just 1.45 per cent ST population, allocates 2.83 per cent of its funds for their welfare,” he stated.

He said Kerala’s welfare initiatives for Scheduled Tribes focus on four primary areas: quality education, healthcare, employment, and essential infrastructure.

A social environment free from discrimination

Concluding his remarks, the Chief Minister highlighted Kerala’s achievements in promoting social equity among Scheduled Tribes. “A comparative study with other states clearly shows that Scheduled Tribes in Kerala enjoy the best social environment in the country—free from caste-based violence, discrimination, or untouchability, and living in harmony with social equality. Sadly, this is not the reality in many other parts of the nation,” he said.

(with ANI inputs)