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An increasing number of spiritual seekers are finding that artificial intelligence is giving them non-judgmental access to spiritual insights, prompting spiritual leaders and organizations to embrace AI chatbots and holograms for guidance.
People are increasingly turning to AI for spiritual guidance due to its unfettered, non-judgmental access, which is often difficult to find with human gurus. These chatbots, like those based on Hinduism's Bhagavad Gita, provide spiritual answers to personal problems anytime. This trend has led some prominent gurus, such as Sadhguru and Deepak Chopra, to launch their own AI platforms, despite critics arguing that AI lacks the lived experience and ethical accountability of human teachers.
Vikas Sahu's GitaGPT, an 'AI spiritual companion,' offers free wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita through Lord Krishna avatars. Sahu notes many users find this helpful for distress, as chatbots provide open conversation without the monetary or time constraints of human gurus. He asserts that the AI's advice is trustworthy because it's based on sacred texts.
Religion professors like Liz Bucar express skepticism, emphasizing that sacred texts need community and context for interpretation, which AI lacks. They suggest public distrust in religious institutions makes people view chatbots as less biased. However, experts like Noreen Herzfeld argue that true spiritual awakening requires physical presence and a teacher who can challenge, not just affirm, a person for growth, pointing out the absence of a 'soul' or 'other side' in AI interactions.
Recognizing AI's potential, real-life gurus like Sadhguru are creating advanced AI avatars and holograms for devotee interaction. Organizations like Innerverse 360 are also merging AI with spirituality, offering both live sessions with monks and an 'Ask AI' feature. While AI provides practical advice, creators acknowledge it won't replace the profound journey of finding a human guru.
Organizations like the Self-Realization Fellowship are cautiously adopting AI to broaden access to teachings, much like books did previously. However, they emphasize the importance of guardrails to prevent AI 'hallucinations.' Monks from the fellowship firmly believe that technology cannot replace the unique spiritual connection and guidance a human guru, living or departed, provides to a disciple, as humans possess souls.