Page 47 - NAMAH-Apr-2022

Artificial Intelligence

Lopa Mukherjee

Abstract
This article questions whether Artificial Intelligence is a boon or a curse. Like other scientific
discoveries that have made life a little easier but have added social and other problems by the
overuse of their gifts, will this new fad in technology also follow the same fate? What is the
relationship of AI and mechanisation to the human being, and more importantly to being human?
The writer ponders on spiritual teachings of ancient India about the usefulness of a tool and the
nourishment of the soul. Are the two incompatible? Where do we place science in the constellation
of our life? And something like AI that mimics the human brain, or does it?

s
Now too we see these Hiranyakasipus all around
n
us, walking with over-sized egos. They can be
individuals or organisations. They turn every
boon to barbarism. I see Artificial Intelligence
as such a boon that has come to man. Some are
making good use of it; some are abusing it to
serve their inflated egos. Often I wonder if the
power was granted too early to man.

Teachers of mysteries made sure only the
deserving, the arhat, got the secret knowledge.
Once there was a king of great resolve. He prayed Even if it came into the wrong hands, it took a
to the lord with such steadfastness anthills grew lot of effort to unlock the powers, which these
around him. The lord appeared and he was unworthy people were not capable of. But
granted a boon. He chose to be undefeatable tools or boons of science don’t require soul
which means he would live almost forever. power. Ambition and curiosity are enough.
Instead of helping people with his divine gifts The only way the titan can be contained
he turned against them. His unripe ego felt is by avataric intervention, or by rules and
godlike and he demanded all to worship him. regulations set by the arhat, the deserving.

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