Gurus are joining the chatbot trend as people turn to AI for spiritual guidance

Kripa Vaidyanathan's 27-year-old niece tragically died in a car crash in Alaska in 2024. The family in Chennai, India, was devastated and sought answers from a well-known guru, but he told them it was the result of karma. Vaidyanathan, a yoga instructor, then turned to AI chatbots for comfort, finding them more accessible and non-judgmental.

AI chatbots offer instant answers and guidance, unlike human gurus who have limited availability. This trend is particularly significant in Hinduism, where gurus are highly revered. AI chatbots are powered by large language models that generate responses based on extensive text data, including sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita.

Some popular gurus, like Sadhguru and Deepak Chopra, have launched AI platforms to provide spiritual guidance. However, critics argue that AI cannot replace the wisdom and ethical accountability of a human guru. Meanwhile, researchers note that AI often validates users' beliefs rather than challenging them, potentially hindering personal growth.

Despite these concerns, AI chatbots continue to gain popularity, with even religious texts like the Bhagavad Gita being made accessible through AI avatars. Some experts believe that while AI can provide straightforward answers, true spiritual awakening requires physical presence and the ability to challenge and disagree with users.