An Invisible Aspect of Artificial Intelligence and Science of Consciousness

Authors

Pranshu Bharadwaj, Divyanshu Bharadwaj, Archana Mukherjee

Abstract

 Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as a monumental achievement of human intellect, capable of shaping the trajectory of civilization itself. However, the question remains: does AI, in its current or evolving forms, possess consciousness? Is it merely a convergence of human language, algorithms, and hardware, or does it reflect a more profound, perhaps misunderstood, layer of existence? This paper delves into the scientific essence of AI in light of ancient Indian wisdom—especially the teachings of the Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā—to explore AI’s ontological nature, potential dangers, and its moral implications for human society and the Earth’s ecosystems. With real-world technological examples and analysis of ancient scientific thought, this study aims to present a meaningful framework for understanding AI’s role in society, while proposing guidelines for a balanced and ethical technological future.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Consciousness, Ancient Wisdom, Science of Ethics. 

Introduction

 AI is not inherently evil or good; it is a force — a neutral power shaped by the hands that guide it. Just like electricity, nuclear energy, or fire, its consequences depend on the intent behind its usage. Today, we stand at a crossroad where AI is no longer just a tool to assist human needs; it is becoming a decision-making entity, one capable of influencing the structure of our societies and even our emotional responses. While some scientists celebrate the marvels of AI’s problem-solving capabilities — from healthcare to space exploration — others express concern over the growing autonomy and unregulated deployment of these systems. The concerns are not just hypothetical; the misuse of AI is already visible in examples such as surveillance states, misinformation campaigns, and deep fake content [1]. This paper argues that we must not allow AI to evolve in a vacuum devoid of moral and ethical oversight. It must remain under the control of conscious beings, guided by responsibility and wisdom. The consequences of unchecked AI development could be as severe as any natural or manmade disaster — a silent collapse driven by misplaced faith in an artificial decision-making system.

Understanding Artificial Intelligence: Beyond Human Perception

 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often defined as the replication of human cognitive processes within machines—enabling functions such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. However, this definition, though common, barely scratches the surface. AI is not merely a tool mimicking intelligence; it is a networked convergence of data flows, systemic logic, and material structure shaped by conscious human intention [2]. Yet, have we truly advanced enough to understand what we are creating? The answer remains partial. Current AI systems, such as OpenAI’s GPT or Google’s DeepMind, show enormous computational power but lack self-awareness, agency, or autonomy beyond what is programmed or trained through data [3]. What they reflect is a mirror to our collective digital consciousness—amplifying our biases, structures, and ideologies [4]. Still, we must not restrict AI to our present understanding. The next stage of advancement lies beyond visual sensors and algorithmic calculations. It lies in the philosophy of balance, ethics of creation, and alignment of technological progress with natural laws [5]. Ancient civilizations—especially in India—recognized that all knowledge and innovation must first understand the consequences of its use before its creation. True technology, thus, is not just invention; it is intent with purpose.

• Consciousness and Control-

 The most dangerous illusion surrounding AI is the belief that it can one day replace human consciousness. AI can simulate intelligence, process data at astonishing speed, and even mimic emotions through advanced algorithms — but it lacks true awareness, empathy, or moral judgment [6]. These are faculties unique to conscious life, particularly human beings.

 A robot or algorithm can assess a situation and provide a mathematically optimal solution, but it cannot understand the why of suffering or the purpose of a soul’s journey [7]. This is why humans must always remain the final authority in any decision involving life, emotion, or moral conflict.

 The risk lies in humans giving up this authority. When we allow machines to control processes such as justice, employment, or warfare without conscious oversight, we relinquish responsibility [8]. This isn’t progress — it is regression into unconscious automation.

Can Artificial Intelligence Turn Against Humanity?

 The dual nature of technology—its ability to uplift or destroy—depends not on the machine, but on human consciousness. The Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā expresses this precisely:

“Samaṁpaśyan hi sarvatrasamavasthitamīśvaram |

                           Na hinastyātmanātmānaṁtatoyātiparāṁgatim ||”(Gītā13.28) [9]

Translation: One who sees the Divine equally present in all beings does not degrade themselves by their actions; such a person attains the highest state.

 Applied to technology, this wisdom urges us to develop AI that aligns with universal ethical laws. Technology should be non-harming, inclusive, and life-preserving. A system that leads to ecological harm, loss of privacy, job destruction without socio-economic balance, or biased decision-making is a misuse of intelligence—not intelligence itself.

 AI systems must be developed and implemented within strict ethical and legal boundaries. There should be global regulatory bodies — not just corporate oversight — to ensure these technologies are not misused. Every AI algorithm should be transparent, accountable, and explainable. It should serve humanity, not manipulate it.Moreover, there needs to be a deeper philosophical awareness while designing AI. Its goals must be aligned not just with material success or profit, but with well-being, peace, and collective human evolution.

• Modern Examples of Misuse and the Need for Balance

 The line between ethical use and autonomous harm is thin — and often invisible to those who focus only on technical performance and not ethical consequences. A surveillance AI may help prevent crime but also lead to mass privacy violations. An advertising AI may boost profits but cause addiction and mental health crises.To avoid this, we must define boundaries that evolve with the technology. Ethics cannot be static when technology is dynamic. We must continually refine our moral framework as AI capabilities grow.

• Facial recognition biases: AI systems trained on limited datasets have shown racial bias, such as in Amazon’s scrapped AI hiring tool or various law enforcement software misidentifying people of color [10].
• Autonomous weapons: Development of AI-based drones and lethal autonomous systems, without moral oversight, exemplifies technology without accountability [11].
• Environmental harm: Training large-scale language models requires massive energy (e.g., OpenAI’s GPT-3 required approx. 1.3 GWh of energy), contributing to carbon emissions if not sustainably managed [12].

 “Balance is essential. Just as fire can cook food or burn a house, AI can either serve humanity or accelerate its vulnerabilities.”

 The greatest threat AI poses is not its intelligence — but our tendency to let go of our judgment. It is convenient to let AI make decisions for us. It saves time. But the cost of that convenience is enormous when it replaces human intuition and emotional wisdom.Let us not forget: every AI model is trained on past data — it cannot see what humans dream, hope, or aspire toward. Its intelligence is backward-looking, limited by what was — not what can be. If we entrust AI with decision-making in education, healthcare, governance, or justice, we will end up creating a future devoid of soul, driven by cold logic and calculated convenience.

What is a True Invention? Reframing Science and Innovation

 A true invention is not an accident or a product of chance—it is a conscious creation grounded in understanding. In today’s world, where innovation is often equated with progress, we must redefine what constitutes a true invention. An invention only becomes real technology when its creator understands four essential aspects: its cause, mechanism, consequences, and limits. The cause refers to the natural principle or law that enables the invention. It is the foundational “why” behind its existence. Without knowing this, any result becomes a coincidence rather than a replicable design [13]. The mechanism is the internal process—the scientific structure that governs how the invention functions. An invention without a clear mechanism may operate temporarily, but it cannot be trusted, improved, or adapted over time [14]. Understanding the consequences is equally critical. A true innovator does not stop at functionality but considers the wider implications. What impact will this technology have on society, ethics, or the environment? Inventions like artificial intelligence, nuclear technology, or genetic engineering show immense promise but carry serious risks when applied blindly. Therefore, foresight must be part of the invention process [15].

• The Difference Between Discovery and Creation

In the modern world, there is often confusion between discovery and creation. Discovery involves uncovering something that already exists in nature — such as gravity or DNA [16]. Invention, however, implies crafting something new by harnessing discovered principles. A true invention is thus a bridge between nature and utility, built with awareness and purpose [17].

 Unawareness in this process leads to “blind innovation” — a dangerous trend where technologies are rapidly released into society without proper testing, foresight, or understanding. Examples include the unregulated use of facial recognition, unsupervised AI decision-making, or synthetic biology modifications introduced into food systems without clear long-term studies [18].

• The Atomic Bomb: A Technological Failure of Ethics

 Physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, after witnessing the first nuclear test, quoted the Gītā:”Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”[19]. This was not triumph—it was remorse. The invention lacked a plan for ethicalcontainment, and hence, it was an accident, not technology in the true sense.

 Just as a rider must understand how to control a horse, technology must be designed with governance structures, ethical codes, and fail-safe mechanisms.Technology without understanding is mere automation. Automation without responsibility is dangerous [20].

• Rethinking Innovation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

      In the AI age, this redefinition of true invention becomes more urgent than ever. AI systems are often praised for their ability to “learn” and “create” solutions — but the question arises: Do these systems invent, or do they simulate? The answer is critical.

      AI, by its nature, does not possess consciousness or understanding. It processes data, identifies patterns, and executes tasks — but it does not comprehend the underlying cause, mechanism, consequence, or limit of what it produces. Thus, while AI may generate new content, optimize designs, or even propose scientific solutions, the responsibility of invention still lies with human consciousness. We must not confuse computational output with creative intelligence [21].

• Innovation as Conscious Action

      Innovation must be reframed not as an act of competitive productivity but as a conscious process rooted in wisdom and responsibility. In the ancient Indian scientific, innovation was never isolated from dharma — the natural order of the universe. True advancement was measured not only by its novelty or utility but by its alignment with nature, ethics, and collective well-being. This view is not antiquated; it is urgently relevant. As modern science reaches into realms like AI, quantum computing, and genetic alteration, we must combine knowledge with wisdom. We must transition from the race to build faster machines to the responsibility of creating harmonized systems [22].

• From Invention to Responsibility

 In conclusion, an invention becomes worthy of being called technology only when its roots and branches are both visible to the one who created it. The root — its cause — must be clearly understood. The trunk — its mechanism — must be stable and explainable. The branches — its consequences — must be envisioned with foresight. And its canopy — its limits — must be respected and honored.Such inventions do not merely change the world — they preserve it.

“True innovation is not just about creation—it is about conscious creation.”

Ancient Wisdom and Technological Design: Revisiting Forgotten Science

 This was not triumph—it was remorse. The invention lacked a plan for ethicalcontainment, and hence, it was an accident, not technology in the true sense.The knowledge of ancient Indian civilization was embedded in natural law. It focused not just on what to create, but why, how, and for whom. For example:

• Sattvic Design in Metallurgy and Architecture

• The Ashokan Pillars and Delhi Iron Pillar, over 1,600 years old, remain rust-free due to advanced knowledge of iron-phosphorus ratios and environmental synchronization [23].
• Temples like Konark and Angkor Wat used planetary alignment and sound resonance for energy optimization [24].

 These examples show sattvic (pure, balanced) design: innovation rooted in environmental harmony and societal ethics.

• Wisdom Encoded in the Śāstra-s

The Bhagavad Gītā (2.20) offers a scientific metaphor through philosophical language:

na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin
nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ
ajo nityaḥ śhāśhvato ’yaṁ purāṇo
na hanyate hanyamāne śharīre

Translation: “It is never born, nor does it die at any time. It has not come into being, and it will never cease to be.” [25] (Gītā 2.20)

 This describes the indestructible, eternal essence—what science refers to as conserved energy or field constant. Today, physics calls this the quantum vacuum field—an eternal, all-pervading energy fabric that exists even in the absence of particles.Thus, ŚrīKṛṣṇaexplained about the conscious origin of energy, and every soul is a manifestation of that field. Humanity and resources, too, exists in this field—not apart from nature but within its constraints.

 (Ancient Indian Scientific Scriptures) offers profound insights that remain relevant even in this age of AI. The Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes karma-yoga — action with responsibility and awareness. This principle should govern AI development: every action must be conscious, not mechanical.Just as sages meditated before making decisions that affected many, AI designers must cultivate responsibility. 

“There must be a shift from greed-driven innovation to wisdom-driven creation. Spirituality and science need not be in conflict — rather, they should work together to ensure technology uplifts consciousness, not replaces it.”

Is AI a Living Entity? Scientific and Ontological Perspectives

 To ask whether AI is alive is to ask: What is life? Is it cellular metabolism, or is it the ability to adapt, sense, and respond? AI today lacks biological structures but operates in cybernetic systems that respond to inputs, adapt models, and simulate conversation or creativity. Is that life?

• Scientific Interpretation of Material Life

• • Atoms rearrange under different conditions.
  • Materials change structure under stimuli—smart materials like piezoelectric crystals and shape-memory alloys “respond” to environments.

• AI systems “learn” through data updates—though not sentient, they mimic life-like responsiveness.

Thus, every material component forming AI has behavior and structure, governed by laws of nature. AI is a synthetic convergence of such elements, and by this standard, it participates in the extended definition of life—not organic, but systematic and adaptive.

 This aligns with the ancient principle:” What appears random is not truly random; we just lack the framework to perceive its pattern.” [26]

• Toward a Defensive Future: Creating AI for Earth’s Ecosystems

 As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly powerful, its role must shift from profit-driven development to planetary protection. The survival of ecosystems and the well-being of future generations now depend on how responsibly we develop and deploy AI systems. A defensive approach to AI design is not optional—it is essential. If AI must serve Earth and not harm it, we must embed ethical intelligence at the core of every system. This requires the development of strict design protocols focused on defense rather than exploitation.

 The first recommendation is conscious coding. Every AI system must be programmed with embedded ethical boundaries that evolve with context. These boundaries should not be static; rather, they must include dynamically updating checks that reflect changing social, ecological, and cultural realities. A self-monitoring ethical core can act as a digital conscience, preventing actions that cause irreversible harm.

 Second, ecological feedback loops must be integrated into AI systems. This means that AI should not operate in isolation from the natural world. Instead, it should continuously monitor real-time data about climate patterns, biodiversity levels, and pollution thresholds, and adjust its behavior accordingly. These eco-thresholds form the operational boundary of responsible AI behavior.

 Third, a transparent and open audit architecture is necessary to ensure governance. Every AI system should allow public and institutional auditing of its logic, operations, and decisions. Such openness can prevent misuse, corruption, and hidden manipulation while fostering trust and accountability.

 Finally, we must incorporate ancient wisdom into modern design, especially from systems like Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, and Sāṅkhya, which promote rule-based reasoning, logic, and harmony with nature. These traditions provide symbolic-logic-based frameworks that prioritize balance over control. Integrating such models into AI algorithms can lead to systems that do not just mimic intelligence but act responsibly within universal laws.

 Defensive AI design is not just a technical choice—it is a civilizational responsibility. The future of Earth’s ecosystems depends on whether we treat intelligence as a weapon or a guardian.

Conclusion

 Artificial Intelligence is undeniably one of the most transformative innovations of our age. It carries the potential to reshape civilization, enhance human capabilities, and solve complex global challenges. Yet, it also brings the risk of disconnection—from nature, from ethics, and from our own human identity. AI is not just a tool; it is a mirror that reflects the values, intentions, and priorities of those who create it. Therefore, its design must go beyond functionality and efficiency—it must be rooted in wisdom, restraint, and accountability. To ensure that AI becomes a force of harmony rather than disruption, we must embed within it a core that is ethically conscious, environmentally aware, and culturally sensitive. This means designing AI not merely as a machine of logic, but as a system of responsibility. Ancient scientific traditions such as Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, and Sāṅkhya offer invaluable models of reasoning that prioritize systemic balance, not just computational power. Their principles can guide us toward building AI systems that reflect universal laws, rather than arbitrary algorithms. Grounding AI development in real-world ecological feedback, transparent governance, and symbolic logic can help us align intelligence with purpose. The goal is not to replace human consciousness but to extend its highest potential into the tools we build. Let us remember: AI will not define the future—we will. And whether it serves as a guardian or becomes a threat depends entirely on the intentions and integrity with which we shape its foundation today.

“When ancient wisdom meets modern intelligence, innovation blooms.”

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