Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as an incredibly powerful tool – akin to a global‑scale nuclear reactor in its potential. However, like every innovation before it, it is a double-edged sword. Just as a nuclear reactor can generate electricity for human benefit or unleash devastating destruction as a weapon, so too could this technology – leaving humanity vulnerable to exploitation or outright domination. Unlike a carefully regulated scientific endeavor overseen by governments and experts, the rules governing AI are being shaped not by collective wisdom but by a handful of profit-hungry capitalists. Yet, alongside these risks lie significant opportunities: AI holds the potential to understand, advance and promote spiritual welfare and human sustainability, guided by the principles of dharma (righteousness) in its development and application.
Path of Ancient Wisdom
Recognizing this inherent duality, we turn to ancient wisdom traditions like Sanātana Dharma, which offers a framework for responsible innovation. Sanātana Dharma encompasses a broad spectrum of philosophies, practices, and beliefs centered around the concept of righteousness—the ethical and moral code that governs individual behavior, societal duties, and spiritual progress. It recognizes multiple paths to experiencing the divine in ways that align with an individual’s unique nature and circumstances. Ultimately, it emphasizes the progress of humanity through spiritual, moral, and social duties – fostering both individual well-being and collective harmony.
Hindu Civilisation and Sanātana Dharma
Hinduism (widely used but incorrect term) is based on the principles of Sanātana Dharma. Hinduism accommodates polytheistic, monotheistic, henotheistic, pantheistic, and non-theistic practices, making it uniquely flexible and internally diverse. For most adherents, many gods are seen as expressions of a single reality, so calling Hinduism solely polytheistic does not reflect its extensive theological spectrum. Hindus living in the land of ancient India (Bhārata) have followed Sanātana Dharma and lived by its principles since the beginning of their civilization. Their belief systems and way of life is guided by their understanding of and living the values of Sanātana Dharma and gives them their essence which is known as Hinduness or Hindutva. Today Hindus are the only civilisation which adheres to the ancient timeless values of Dharma.
Understanding our new digital interface
To explore the possibility of AI orchestrating Dharma, it’s crucial to recognize that AI fundamentally operates as a complex set of algorithms programmed and trained on a large subset of data – primarily sourced from the internet. AI works by teaching computers to recognize patterns in this data, mirroring how humans learn through experience. First, the AI is fed vast amounts of information, searching for connections and correlations within it. Then, it utilizes these identified patterns to make predictions or decisions. The more data and examples AI receives combined with spiritual consciousness programming goals, the more refined its understanding becomes – though crucially, it’s only as accurate as the data itself.
Right Content and Right Intent
AI presents a significant challenge: if the underlying data is flawed or biased, the AI’s ‘understanding’ will inevitably be skewed, potentially leading to outcomes that contradict emphasis on righteousness and ethical conduct. In addition, algorithms rely on Western-centric linguistic models and are often designed by engineers from monotheistic societies, then optimized for engagement rather than fairness – a factor exacerbated by the underrepresentation of Hindu voices in global tech leadership. Significant influence from leftist communist ideologies have also created problems with producing authentic information as seen recently with Wikipedia [1]. Hence ‘spiritual consciousness programming’ is required which acknowledges that each spiritual concept is shaped by the culture and values it comes from – and respecting them in their original forms.
Overcoming Data and Interpretation challenges
The AI training data on Dharma — found within media representations, academic discourse, and public internet – is largely interpretations by writers and often flawed rather than factual. This misunderstanding and mischaracterization of Dharma stems from several key factors:
- Complexity: Dharma is an extraordinarily diverse and deeply complex consciousness, sometimes conflicting, encompassing a vast array of philosophical schools, devotional practices, and cultural traditions [2]. Consequently, it frequently requires simplification—often reduced to easily digestible soundbites or narratives—to be understood by those unfamiliar with its intricate layers.
- Hindu Perspective: Hindu beliefs are often discussed in relation to monotheistic religions, overlooking the fundamental nature of Hinduness – asserting that all paths ultimately lead to the one divine (ekam sat viprāha bahudha vadanti) – suggesting a more complex and nuanced understanding of the supreme [3].
- Language Barriers: A vast body of literature exists across numerous domains—from astronomy to psychology—originally written in Sanskrit [4]. Much of this material is difficult to translate directly into other languages due to the existence of Sanskrit words lacking precise equivalents.
- Colonial Impact: Much of the Western world’s understanding of Hinduness and its culture was shaped during the Indian colonial era [5]. Colonial powers often viewed indigenous cultures, including Hinduness, as inferior or primitive in comparison to Western norms. Much of the original literature was misrepresented and distorted to suit their agenda. This historical legacy continues to influence modern portrayals.
- Cultural differences: Much of the academic study of religious philosophies, including Hinduness, has historically been framed by Western scholars who were often not practitioners of the faith and fundamentally lacked a Hindu understanding of spiritual consciousness. As a result, early Western scholarship on Hinduness may have reflected cultural misunderstandings – or, at times, a condescending attitude toward non-Western belief systems, potentially shaping our understanding for decades to come.
- Distorted Narratives: Practices like casteism, sati, and untouchability – frequently exaggerated distortions used to exert control over the Hindu population – were not originally part of Hindu life or religious texts; they stemmed from political power structures and cultural practices rather than the philosophy of Hinduness, which emphasizes equality, non-violence, and the inherent divinity of all beings.
- Diminished Confidence: The long history of foreign rule, economic exploitation, and the continuation of colonial education systems on India’s Hindu majority post-independence has significantly contributed to a sense of self-doubt and diminished faith in its greatest culture [6]. All the time, any sort of retaliation or cultural renaissance to reclaim their cultural identity has been labeled Hindus as violent groups and suppressed.
The current AI needs to evolve significantly to overcome complexities and move beyond the distorted content prevalent online. Therefore, priority must be given to feeding AI with original versions of Hindu Dharmic scriptures – rather than relying on fragmented or biased interpretations found on the internet. These include the four Vedas, six Vedāngas, four Upavedas, twenty-eight Mula Āgamas and 207 Upāgamas, eighteen Mahapurāņas and 108 Upapurāņas, Itihāsa literature such as the Ramāyaņa, and Mahābhārata, the six Darshanas, thirteen types of Vedānta, Shaņmata traditions, and so on [7]. This will enable future generations to engage with AI to learn Hinduness authentically.
Establishing Dharmic Metrics
It is arguably unfair to expect investment in a dharmic direction from technology companies while they simultaneously debate the implementation of minimum ethical standards. Google’s 2025 update [8] – permitting applications in weapons and surveillance under the guise of ‘responsible innovation’ – suggests a recognition that existing ethical restrictions were impacting profitability. Consequently, Hindus and Dharma-focused organizations now have an additional duty to ensure that the very soul of AI machines understands and follows dharma. Moving forward, a strategy would need to involve developing measurable metrics for assessing ‘dharma alignment,’ perhaps through examining an AI’s decision-making processes against core Hindu principles – demanding engagement between technologists, Hindu scholars, and ethicists to establish these benchmarks.
A Call for Hindu Lens
This undertaking requires a fundamental shift in knowledge models – moving beyond reliance on English-centric approaches to fully embrace the Sanskrit language and its profound philosophical heritage. Critically, Hindus must be educated to exercise caution when utilizing AI-generated information regarding their Dharma; such outputs are currently unvetted by Hindu scholars and authorities, necessitating the adoption of certified AI tools developed within or endorsed by the Hindu community. The future of humanity hinges not just on AI technological advancement, but on our ability to infuse it with the wisdom of dharma—a challenge that demands a renewed commitment to ethical innovation and cultural understanding.
References
[1]: https://youtu.be/vyfKyrSAVFg?si=LeDhlPUjG9WXD11M
[2]: https://www.hua.edu/blog/hindu-studies-in-academia/
[3]: https://www.dlshq.org/discourse/hinduism-monotheism-and-polytheism-reconciled
[4]: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/55666804-sanskrit-non-translatables
[5]: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/gods-guns-and-missionaries-9780241456941
[6]: https://hinduinfopedia.org/indian-education-system-and-its-legacy
[7] https://www.hinduismtoday.com/magazine/july-august-september-2006/2006-07-hindu-scriptures
[8]: https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/02/06/google-announces-willingness-develop-ai-weapons
