Robots are performing Hindu rituals—some devotees fear they'll replace worshippers

Robots are performing Hindu rituals—some devotees fear they'll replace worshippers

It isn't just artists and teachers who are losing sleep over advances in automation and artificial intelligence. Robots are being brought into Hinduism's holiest rituals—and not all worshippers are happy about it.

Robots are performing Hindu rituals -- some devotees fear they'll replace worshippers

The use of AI and robotic technology in worship is raising profound questions about its long-term consequences. Will it lead to the betterment of society or replace practitioners?

Robots are performing Hindu rituals—some devotees fear they’ll replace worshippers

A robotic arm (under on proper) is used to worship by maneuvering a candle in entrance of the Hindu god Ganesha. Credit: Monarch Innovation It is not simply artists and academics who’re dropping sleep over advances in automation and synthetic intelligence. Robots are being introduced into Hinduism’s holiest rituals—and never all worshippers are comfortable about it. In 2017, a technology firm in India launched a robotic arm to carry out “aart…