Spiritual seekers turn to AI for guidance as gurus embrace technology

In the wake of a personal tragedy, Kripa Vaidyanathan turned to AI chatbots for spiritual solace after a family member's death in 2024. She found comfort in the non-judgmental nature of AI, which offers accessible and compassionate guidance. This trend is gaining traction, especially in Hinduism, where gurus are traditionally essential for spiritual growth. AI chatbots, powered by large language models, provide 24/7 access to spiritual wisdom, drawing from texts like the Bhagavad Gita. Notable figures like Sadhguru and Deepak Chopra have launched AI platforms to engage with their teachings. Critics, however, argue that AI lacks the lived experience and ethical accountability of human gurus. Vikas Sahu, founder of GitaGPT, believes AI can serve as a spiritual companion, offering wisdom from Lord Krishna. Meanwhile, scholars like Liz Bucar caution against replacing human expertise with AI, emphasizing the need for community and context in interpreting sacred texts. Despite these concerns, some gurus see AI as a tool to expand their reach, with initiatives like Innerverse 360 blending AI with live spiritual sessions.