Can Machines Think or Realize?

Abstract

In the contemporary world, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved like a transformative force, constantly influencing human existence beyond social, cultural, and economic realms in everyday life. John McCarthy first used the term 'Artificial Intelligence' in 1956; since then AI poses profound philosophical questions regarding ethics, awareness, and the nature of intelligence beyond its technological significance, this paper tries to analyse the ethical and philosophical dimensions of artificial intelligence by comparing Western and Indian perspectives. It also focuses on whether AI systems mimic human abilities like moral agency, emotional awareness, spiritual consciousness, and true intelligence. The paper points out that AI can mimic certain behavioral and cognitive traits of intelligence, but lacks subjective experience and inner consciousness, which are necessary for genuine emotional and spiritual intelligence. AI also raised questions regarding moral conflicts such as: Do AI systems or computers possess autonomy, moral responsibility, and human values? This paper recommends a more comprehensive philosophical and ethical framework for development of AI by inculcating moral reasoning with spiritual insights in order to protect mankind, and substitute it for human intelligence.