Indians turn to AI gurus for answers: ‘ChatGPT is not judging you’
When Kripa Vaidyanathan’s 27-year-old niece died in an Alaska car crash in 2024, her family in Chennai, India, felt shell-shocked. They questioned why this tragedy would befall them when they had such “immense faith in God”. Vaidyanathan, a yoga instructor, helped her grieving sister get face time with a high-profile guru whom she hoped would help. “But he told her this was the work of karma and…
When Kripa Vaidyanathan's 27-year-old niece died in a car crash in Alaska in 2024, her Chennai, India family was left in shock. They questioned how such a tragedy could happen to them, given their "immense faith in God." Vaidyanathan, a yoga instructor, sought help from a well-known guru, hoping for guidance. However, the guru told her that the death was a result of karma and urged her to focus on her inner self.
This experience led the Vaidyanathans to turn to artificial intelligence chatbots, stating that they provided a more compassionate and accessible form of guidance compared to human gurus. The growing popularity of AI chatbots for spiritual guidance, particularly in Hinduism, highlights a shift in how people seek answers to personal problems and existential questions.
While some, like Jaggi Vasudev (Sadhguru) and Deepak Chopra, have embraced AI technology with their own chatbot platforms, critics argue that AI cannot replicate the wisdom and accountability of a human guru. However, proponents of AI, such as GitaGPT founder Vikas Sahu, believe that his chatbot makes sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita accessible to those in distress, providing encouragement akin to what a human guru might offer.
Despite skepticism from some religion professors, AI chatbots are being seen as tools that can complement, rather than replace, the human touch in spiritual guidance.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
