AI-Robotics Revolution & Science-Religion Dialogue

Job Kozhamthadam, SJ.

Ever since its inception 25 years ago, IISR (Indian Institute of Science and Religion) Delhi has been organizing much-appreciated international symposiums on cutting-edge developments in science and technology and their impact on human society and religion. These megaevents have been IISR’s attempt to translate into practice its ambitious vision of blending harmoniously the latest findings of modern science and the deepest insights of religions to build up a better humanity, a richer world and a more humane India, particularly in the multireligious, multicultural and multiracial fabric of India. In the past it has organized 13 international symposiums on epoch-making scientific breakthroughs like the discovery of the God-Particle (Higg’s Boson) in 2012, discovery of gravitational waves in 2016, developments in the neurological sciences and the problem of the human soul, etc. Through these initiatives IISR tries to bring science and its achievements to the level of all educated persons so that they too can be beneficiaries of the hard-earned achievements of science and technology. Pursuing this enriching tradition, IISR, in collaboration with the nationally reputed St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru, and The Chair in Christianity, Mangalore University, organized its 14th international symposium on 18-20 November 2022 at the college campus on “AI, Robotics & Humanoids and the Future of Society and Religion.” Since recent developments in AI and related fields are of utmost importance, impacting human life and wellbeing in multiple ways, another similar event at the national level was organized in collaboration with Loyola College, Thiruvanthapuram, the capital city of the State of Kerala, on 25-26 November.

More than 120 scholars, mostly college/university/major seminary professors and senior students from all parts of India and some from abroad participated in the international symposium, wherein over 21 nationally and internationally reputed scholars, including Guy Consolmagno, Director, Vatican Observatory, Rome; Roy Pereira, Loyola-Marymount University, Los Angeles; Hamid Rezania, McMaster University, Toronto; Sonajharia Minz, Vice Chancellor, KM University, Dumka; Anand Kumar, NIT Karnataka; Stephen Jayard, Director, Jnana Deepa Centre for Science & Religion, Pune; Augustine Pamplany, Director, Institute of Science & Religion, Aluva, Kerala; Victor Ferrao, Director, Science-Religion Samgam, Goa; Job Kozhamthadam, Director IISR; Praveen Martis, Principal, St. Aloysius College; Melvin Pinto, Rector;  Hardev Singh Virk, Honorary Professor of Excellence, SGGS World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab; Vincent Braganza, Director, Loyola Centre for Research and Development, Ahmedabad; Aditi Kaul, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi, etc., presented well-researched scholarly papers. Similarly, the 2-day national seminar was attended by over 100 participants, mostly senior college students and their professors from various parts of the State of Kerala. The evaluations, oral as well as confidentially written, revealed that the participants were greatly pleased with the enriching experience. Participation was by invitation only. Since IISR has been following the strategy of ‘influencing the influential,’ these participants are expected to be messengers of the good news and sharers of the rich experience in their own respective milieus, ensuring high multiplier effect.

AI and Its Importance 

AI, intelligence produced artificially in a machine, is an attempt to produce human-like intelligence in a human-made machine. Today the field of AI and associated areas have become one of the most active epicentres of scientific research and development. For instance, in India there are more than 698 AI related companies. The US has over 2000 of them. China, Canada, UK, France, Germany, etc., are also very much in the forefront.

The fact that the nerve-centre of this revolution is intelligence renders it supremely important. There is good evidence to believe that chimpanzees appeared on the surface of the earth over 500,000 years ago, whereas human intelligence dates back to only 200,000 years. However, while chimps seem to be remaining in their initial stage, humans have made incredible progress within such a relatively short time, thanks mainly to the amazing creative power of human intelligence. We can expect a similar exponential growth through AI as well.

Some AI-Powered Robots and Humanoids

Another reason for the growing importance of AI-Robotic revolution is the high versatility and wide-range applicability of the AI-powered robots and humanoids. There is a whole long chain of robots to meet the needs of many fields. Some of the most common ones are: industrial robots, exploration robots, consumer robots, medical robots, aerospace robots and aquatic robots. Most recently, the arrival of ChatGPT of OpenAI and BARD of Google are expected to transform human life in unprecedented ways. Among humanoids Sophia of Hanson Robotics, T-HR3 of Toyota, Ameca, the most advanced humanoid today, etc., are well known. India is getting all set for Vyommitra, a female humanoid for future un-crewed spaceflight. Indeed, AI-Robotics is a breathtakingly fast growing field!

Some Takeaways from the Symposium and Seminar

Appreciation and Support to Science and Scientists

The participants were unanimous in expressing their great appreciation and joy at the feat science and scientists have been achieving, and extended their wholehearted support to the tireless efforts of the scientists. At the same time they did not shy away from expressing their legitimate apprehensions and concrete suggestions to help science pursue the right path and achieve even more success for the good of humanity and the universe.

Some Positive Outcomes of the AI-Robotic Revolution

Over-enthusiasts believe that eventually these developments will lead to the creation of human-like beings that can outsmart even the best of humans. However, in light of these 2 important events involving intense study and discussion, the consensus emerged has been that, while saluting and supporting our scientists, we need to be more realistic – AI-powered machines can only assist humans in many ways, often very efficiently and effectively, but not replace them. Some specific pluses expressed were:

1. AI-driven devices bring greater efficiency, speed, accuracy, reliability and objectivity.
2. In many cases AI-driven machines can ensure greater cost-effectiveness.
3. They also offer greater accessibility and hence wider applicability. In high-risk situations appropriate AI-powered robots can be used, especially in situations inaccessible to humans. For instance, certain explorations in the outer space, rescue operations in narrow tunnels, etc.
4. In the medical field great help can be obtained both at the macro and nano levels. For complicated surgery the robots can be very helpful. Special nanorobots can be used for special therapeutic missions at the molecular level.

Some Disadvantages and Challenges

Some Intrinsic Problems

• Inadequacy of the Binary System of Computer Operations to Reproduce Human Behaviour Satisfactorily

All computer programs and operations today are dependent on the binary code of 0 or 1. Hence, these systems can handle only those phenomena that are amenable to this binary code and two-value logic – definite yes or no. It is important to note that there is a whole range of possibilities between 0 and1. Many commonplace phenomena, particularly those related to the human mind and behaviour, fall in this important intermediary region. Hence many human phenomena cannot be realistically dealt with by the present digital systems. Fuzzy logic has been tried to mimic human behaviour, but the results of such attempts so far  have not been satisfactory. The symposium presentation on fuzzy logic dealt with this issue in detail.

• Lack of Clear Understanding of Certain Key Concepts

Several key concepts related to the human mind, such as consciousness, awareness, self-consciousness, imagination, memory, instincts, soul, etc., still remain unclear. Hence mathematization of these items, which is a prerequisite for digitization, cannot be carried out under the present situation.

1. Inadequacy of the Basic Strategy Used for Making Human-like Robots

The basic strategy used in the construction of AI powered humanoids is to observe with meticulous care the external behaviour and expressions of humans and mimic them as closely as possible. This presupposes that humans are no more than a collection of externally observable phenomena. However, there is no doubt that humans are much more than such a collection of externals, thereby revealing that something essentially human is wanting in AI-powered humanoids.

Nor can this missing aspect be easily filled up once science and technology makes further progress because it is closely associated with deep and fundamental-level human nature and capabilities like consciousness, inner spirit, intuition and related phenomena. As mentioned already, the real nature of these key concepts still defies all human efforts to unpack and analyse adequately.

Increase in unemployment and widening of the gap between the rich and poor are also serious adverse effects of the AI-robotics revolution.

Emotions and Humanoids

Emotions pose a formidable challenge to any attempt to make humanlike artificial beings. Nor can emotions be overlooked in this context because emotions are an integral part of being human. Humanoid manufacturers are keenly aware of this challenge, and are trying to introduce new measures like affective computing which aims at producing devices that can recognize, interpret, process and simulate human affects. However, the symposium presentation on this topic pointed out that affective computing models attempt to reduce emotions to “information” that can be extracted from the human body, which seriously underestimates the complex relations of humans. Furthermore, it was pointed out that this empirical approach misses the existential significance of emotions, considering them as derivative rather than constitutive of human existence. Another scholar pointed out there was need for making a clear distinction between “having emotions” and “expressing emotions.” The latter may be introduced through outside sources in the form of certain bodily expressions, not so the former since emotions often come from deep within the person. In this context, it is also important to keep in mind that human responses are expected to be context-guided, intellect-enlightened and will-approved. To produce a scenario of this type artificially seems to be almost an impossible task.

The Social Impact

The symposium also emphasized that the primary goal of science was to foster human welfare and enrichment. Hence it cannot be used to bring any type of harm to humanity. In real life this would mean that AI-driven devices should not lead to increase in unemployment. Nor should it to be allowed to widen the gulf between the haves and the have-nots. Furthermore, we need to ensure that humanoids and related developments do not lead to an erosion of sound ethical values and moral principles. Overdependence on machines and consequent threat to human autonomy and freedom also will have to be avoided.

AI-Robotic Revolution and Science-Religion Dialogue 

However, these challenges need not deter scientific study and research from continuing its ambitious quest. We need to encourage further scientific research and development and lend all possible support to it. Already robots and humanoids are assisting humans in so many constructive ways. This should continue unhindered. Humanoids can be of immense benefit as collaborators, especially in areas inaccessible to humans. Indeed, the relationship between humans and humanoids need to be one of fruitful collaboration rather than unhealthy competition. Such a collaboration can lead to a harmonious blending of the latest findings of science and the deepest insights of religions to build up a better humanity and a better India, as envisaged in the vision and mission of IISR.

JOB KOZHAMTHADAM, S. J.

.