*Ethical & Conscious Artificial Intelligence in this Era of Digital Disruption from the light of Dharma, Karma and Ātman and Panini* — by Dr. Debansu Chatterjee, Associate Professor, Swami Vivekananda Institute of Modern Science

In an era of fast digital disruption, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as both a transformational force and an ethical problem. While technology promises extraordinary progress, it also poses fundamental moral, social, and existential concerns about consciousness, accountability, and the nature of being. This study examines Ethical and Conscious AI through the prism of Dharma, Karma, Ātman, and Pāṇini’s linguistic understanding, pillars of the Indian philosophical tradition.

      According to Dharma, AI must function with righteousness and moral order, ensuring that its development and implementation are compatible with human happiness and ecological balance. Karma emphasises the notion of cause and effect, reminding us that every technical action has ramifications that extend beyond civilisations and generations. Thus, both developers and users bear moral responsibility for the consequences of AI systems. The concept of Ātman, which represents inner consciousness, promotes the use of AI not only for efficiency but also for enhancing awareness, empathy, and self-regulation.

     Pāṇini’s rule-based approach to Sanskrit grammar parallels machine learning and language computation architectures. His accuracy, logic, and emphasis on the moral goal of communication offer timeless insights for developing AI systems that are both intelligent and ethical. By combining these philosophical ideas, this paper argues for a holistic AI model that is sentient, empathetic, and dharmic—a model that goes beyond algorithmic intelligence to incorporate moral intelligence. In doing so, it envisions a future in which technology and spirituality work together to maintain human dignity, social peace, and universal well-being.