Chhatarpur: Renowned spiritual preacher Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of Bageshwar Dham has sparked discussion with his remarks on the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), stating that while the world is increasingly talking about AI, India now needs “HI” to build a stronger and more compassionate society.
Addressing devotees during a religious gathering in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district, Shastri explained that “HI” stands for Human Intelligence, which he described as the wisdom, values, compassion and moral consciousness that distinguish human beings from machines. He said technological advancement is important, but society must not lose sight of human qualities while embracing innovation.
According to Shastri, artificial intelligence can provide information, automate tasks and assist in decision making, but it cannot replace human emotions, relationships, empathy and spiritual understanding. He stressed that India’s future should be guided by a balance between technological progress and human values.
The spiritual leader’s comments come at a time when AI technologies are rapidly transforming sectors such as education, healthcare, business and governance. Across the world, discussions are intensifying over the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, social interactions and human decision making.
During his address, Shastri argued that while countries are competing to become leaders in artificial intelligence, India should also focus on strengthening human intelligence through character building, cultural values, education and spiritual awareness. He maintained that a society driven solely by technology without ethical and emotional foundations could face serious social challenges.
His remarks resonated with many followers attending the event, who viewed the message as a call to preserve human sensitivity and cultural values in an increasingly digital age. The Bageshwar Dham chief has frequently spoken on issues related to youth development, education, spirituality and social responsibility during his public discourses.
Experts have often pointed out that while AI can process vast amounts of data and perform complex tasks efficiently, qualities such as empathy, creativity, moral judgment and emotional intelligence remain uniquely human. These attributes continue to play a crucial role in leadership, relationships and community building.
Shastri’s statement adds a spiritual perspective to the broader debate surrounding artificial intelligence. As technology continues to reshape everyday life, his message emphasises the need to ensure that human values remain at the centre of progress.
The remarks have generated considerable attention on social media, with supporters and commentators discussing the significance of balancing technological innovation with human wisdom and ethical responsibility in the years ahead.