Research Summary: Generative AI Alignment with Hinduism's Theological Plurality and Sacred Representation

Research indicates that Generative AI is being increasingly utilized for personal inquiries and daily practices, including religious contexts. Current AI alignment and ethical considerations predominantly reflect secular, Western, and Abrahamic perspectives on religion, largely overlooking other faith traditions. A study, based on 15 interviews with Bangladeshi Hindu participants, explored user interaction with Generative AI for religious knowledge, belief, and practice, revealing that AI can be both accessible for religious purposes and raises specific ethical considerations within a Hindu theological framework.

Why it matters

This research highlights a significant gap in AI development and ethical frameworks, demonstrating that current approaches are culturally and religiously biased. Addressing this oversight is crucial for ensuring that AI technologies are inclusive and function ethically across diverse global populations, impacting adoption, trust, and regulatory acceptance in non-Western contexts.

Key insights

• Generative AI systems are increasingly mediating personal questions and everyday practices, including religious ones.
• Existing discussions on AI alignment and ethics are primarily focused on secular, Western, and Abrahamic religious assumptions.
• There is limited attention in current AI discourse to non-Western or non-Abrahamic faith traditions.
• Hindu users engage with generative AI for religious knowledge, belief, and practice.
• The study analyzed user interpretations of AI-generated religious representations, scriptural explanations, devotional interactions, and synthetic religious media.
• Generative AI is perceived as both accessible for religious engagement and poses ethical considerations from a Hindu perspective.

Source

arXiv — Computers and Society — https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.28228