Dharma in the age of AI

AI-generated image for the prompt: “Barbarika’s futuristic warrior head facing forward, with the Kurukshetra battlefield in the background.”

In this four-part series, we explore the various facets of AI through the lens of Dharma.

The tale of GenAI is akin to the story of Barbarika, the son of Ghatotkacha and Maurvi, and the grandson of Bhima. A man of good intentions and unmatched capabilities, his vows to his mother Maurvi had unintended consequences capable of destroying all sides of the Kurukshetra war. Understanding the paradox of his vow and its consequences through Krishna, he sacrifices himself ahead of the war and witnesses the Kurukshetra war from the vantage point of a mountain top.

The story of GenAI is similar to Barbarika’s paradox, with a difference. Like Barbarika, GenAI has immense potential and unmatched capabilities, designed by people who haven’t fully considered the consequences of their creation. Unlike the story of Barbarika, we don’t yet have a Krishna to put a restraint or check on the paradox of GenAI’s power.

We start our exploration with a practical understanding of GenAI through a hands-on demo of the latest advancements in the field: what it can do and what it can’t. With that grounding, we then study AI through the lens of Dharma, and the ethical concerns being raised globally: how are they being addressed?

Like the “Teen Baan” superpower of Barbarika, GenAI has so many superpowers. What powers are we proud of? What are we afraid of? Who can it save? Who will it destroy? What are the Dharmic concerns of these capabilities? Where do they stem from? Do we have the agency to change the narrative of the future? These are some of the questions we explore in the series.

While we hold these questions, AI is being integrated into everyday life at great speed, becoming a built-in feature of commonly used applications like WhatsApp, Google, and many others. There is no sign of turning back, and AI integration and usage are only going to increase. In this context, what can we do?

Format

• Medium: Online over Zoom, an interactive presentation and discussion, 90 minutes per session.
• Participants: 20 people maximum.
• Sessions: Four sessions: February 22, March 1, March 8, and March 15.
• Recordings: Available to registered participants.
• Participation: The introductory session on February 22 lays a solid foundation for the rest. Committing to all four sessions is encouraged, both for understanding and for sharing knowledge within the community. Some optional videos and readings are offered as preparation before a few of the sessions.