Allahabad High Court judge Justice Ajit Kumar has argued that artificial intelligence should remain a tool that complements human abilities rather than becoming a substitute for human consciousness. Speaking at a dialogue titled “Human Consciousness in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” in Prayagraj, he warned that excessive dependence on AI could weaken important human capabilities.
Justice Kumar emphasized that judgment, consciousness and self-awareness must remain at the center of technological progress. He noted that every invention can have both positive and negative consequences, depending on how it is used. AI can contribute to progress when humans use it constructively, but over-reliance could gradually weaken people's ability to think and judge independently.
The discussion also connected AI with human creativity, spirituality and India's cultural traditions. Chinmaya Mission's Swami Mitranand said AI could help communicate India's philosophical and spiritual heritage in new formats, citing projects involving the Bhagavad Gita and the Kamban Ramayanam. But he stressed that AI can provide information without replacing human originality or enabling genuine spiritual realization.
Acharya Shantanu Maharaj made a related distinction: AI itself is a product of human consciousness and can provide answers, but humans retain the ability to ask questions. The broader message is that AI's growing capabilities should not lead society to outsource the uniquely human functions of reflection, judgment and meaning-making. Rather than treating AI as a replacement for human thought, the speakers advocate using it as a powerful instrument while keeping human consciousness and responsibility at the center of technological development.
