Onongoto Soleho says misuse of AI, chatbots and social media is harming students in Nagaland, urging balanced learning, practical skills and innovation at DBHSS Kohima's Arts and Science Exhibition.
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KOHIMA — Chief Mentor of IHub and Space Education Centre (SEC), Department of Science and Technology, Onongoto Soleho, on Friday remarked that the present-day impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), chatbots and social media reels is doing more harm than good for students in Nagaland, as 99% of them do not know how to use these tools effectively."
Speaking as the guest speaker at the inaugural programme of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (DBHSS), Kohima's annual Arts and Science Exhibition 2026, themed "Igniting ideas, inspiring changes," Soleho said AI would shape the future, but warned that without strong foundational knowledge and personal skills, it could become detrimental to students' growth.
He observed that excessive dependence on AI, chatbots and short-form digital content was affecting students' ability to think critically and remain patient.
According to Soleho, many children today have lost the patience to engage with slow-paced or in-depth content.
While they are exposed to an overwhelming amount of information, much of it is not retained, leading to a decline in empathy, sympathy and other essential life skills.
Reflecting on the state's educational journey, he recalled that Nagaland once struggled to secure admissions for its students in premier institutions such as the IITs and medical colleges at the national level.
He questioned whether the quality of education was the sole issue, suggesting instead that limited exposure and opportunities had been a major factor.
He said this realisation motivated him to promote innovation and science education across Nagaland over the past three to four years. As a result, students are now participating in training programmes, workshops and exposure visits at both the regional and national levels.
Soleho noted that students are actively engaging in activities at the Innovation Hub and Space Education Centre and shared that the department is introducing student-led research and development initiatives, innovation marathons and AI programmes for teachers.
Encouraging students to broaden their horizons, he urged them to actively participate in co-curricular activities alongside academics and strive to distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive environment.
"Today, it is not enough to be academically sound. Students must develop practical skills, build knowledge, learn to present themselves and create meaningful networks," he said, adding that these competencies would be crucial for future success.
He also stressed that both science and the arts are equally important and relevant in everyday life, urging students to think creatively, make better use of the vast information available to them and put in greater effort to achieve their goals.
Earlier, Principal of DBHSS, Rev. Fr. Innocent Panmei, informed that more than 1,000 students from Classes III to XII are participating in the annual Arts and Science Exhibition.