Experts explore the fascinating aspects of intersecting yoga and artificial intelligence 

Yoga is a holistic practice that combines physical postures, breath control, meditation, and ethical principles to cultivate balance and harmony within the body and mind. It promotes self-awareness and mindfulness, helping individuals connect with their thoughts and emotions. The intersection of yoga and artificial intelligence is fascinating, as it merges the age-old practice of yoga with modern technological advancements. To understand the significance of Yoga, Consciousness and AI,  the School of Education (SOE) and the School of Engineering and Technology (SOET) at Apeejay Stya University (ASU), Gurugram recently hosted a conference on the theme “Fusion of Wisdom and Technology: Yoga, Consciousness, and AI for a Better World”. The conference was sponsored by. Inter-University Center for Yogic Sciences (IUCYS), Bengaluru.

The inaugural session was hosted by Dr. Astha Mehata who invited the guests for the lamp lighting ceremony marking the beginning of the conference. This was followed by featuring a documentary of Founder Chairman Dr. Stya Paul, a true karmayogi, philanthropist and founder chancellor of the university.  Prof. Parikshit Vashist extended a warm welcome to the guests and speakers, Prof. Vinod Shastri ji, Yogacharya Swami Pradumna Maharaja Ji, Mrs Sushma Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, Prof. Vijay Vir Singh, Vice Chancellor of ASU, Deans, delegates, faculty members, and all the students. 

The event began with  a  team of students performing yoga asanas on the stage capturing the audience’s attention. Prof. Anand Padhan, Head of the School of Education, provided a brief overview of the conference, its sub-themes, and the expected outcomes of the event. 

In a compelling address to the audience, Vice Chancellor Dr. Vijay Vir Singh captivated those present with his insights on the conference. He emphasised the profound synergy between yoga and science, asserting that both fields are increasingly intertwined with technology in today’s world. Dr. Singh elaborated on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in the realm of yoga, suggesting that this integration could pave the way for a better, more harmonious existence. He painted a vivid picture of how the ancient wisdom of yogic science can coexist and flourish alongside modern technological advancements, offering hope for a brighter future.

Mrs Sushma Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University addressed the theme of the event, emphasising the importance of education beyond the classroom. She highlighted that yoga is associated  with service, logical thinking, science, and development, and noted its benefits for mental health. Additionally, she addressed the role of youth and the future, particularly how artificial intelligence is shaping society. Dr. Berlia also explored the connection between logical sciences and modern science.

The esteemed Chief Guest, Prof. Vinod Shastri Ji, who has been a renowned astrologer, palmist, and expert in Vaastu Shastra, passionately spoke about the challenges facing the younger generation today, highlighting the various obstacles they encounter, from mental health struggles to the pressures of social media. Additionally, he delved into the complexities of artificial intelligence, examining how it interacts with and complements human knowledge, and discussing the ethical implications it brings about in our rapidly evolving society.

The audience then received the opportunity to attend a session by Yogacharya Swami Pradumna Maharaja Ji, who spoke about self-knowledge, the importance of understanding the mind, and the pursuit of truth. He addressed the themes of crossing boundaries, serving others, and the distractions faced by students. Additionally, he emphasised leading a disciplined life and the importance of grasping the truth in our lives.

As a mark of honour, a memento was presented each to Vinod Shastri Ji and Yogacharya Swami Pradumna Maharaja Ji by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Vijay Vir Singh. The first half of the program concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Vijay Kumar. At the end of the inaugural session the national anthem was sung by all to show respect and dignity towards the nation.

Following a brief and refreshing tea break, attendees gathered for an inspiring keynote address delivered by the esteemed Yogacharya Swami Pradumna Maharaja Ji. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the audience settled in, eager to absorb the wisdom and insights that would unfold in his discourse and display of some yoga postures.

The second half of the program began with paper presentations from students at KR Mangalam University, Apeejay Stya University and other institutions in offline and online modes.   The session was chaired and moderated by Dr. Amit Sinha from SOMS and Dr. Sudhakar Ranjan from SOET which explored how ancient practices like yoga are being integrated with modern technological advancements to enhance well-being and address ethical considerations.Another technical session was chaired by Dr. Navdeep Joshi and Prof. Purushottam Chippala, which covered diverse aspects of yoga, artificial intelligence (AI), and education. 

The 2nd day of the event began with a plenary session chaired by Prof. Harjit Kaur Bhatia who spoke upon Yoga, Consciousness and AI. The other experts in the session who talked were Dr. Arpit Kumar Dubey, Head of the Department of Yoga Philosophy at MDNIY, New Delhi. He spoke about consciousness and completeness, discussing the processes of observation, enlightenment, and truth. Dr. Dubey also noted that an increase in the use of AI could lead to a greater interest in the practice of yoga. This session was graced by reputed experts with their talk which included Dr. Ajya Pal, Head of the Department of Yoga, Central University of Haryana; Dr. Navdeep Joshi, Dept of Yogic Sciences, LBS National Sankrit University,New Delhi; Mr. Muralidhar Somisetty, Founder of YogiFy, Bengaluru; Dr. Dheeraj Praksh Joshi, Embassy of India, Baghdad, Iraq; and Dhakaram Yogcharya, Yogapeace Studio, Jaipur. 

The plenary session was followed by the third and fourth technical session (online and offline respectively) wherein the paper presenters focused on the themes of sustainability, technology, and consciousness in education and neuroscience, as well as the relationship between consciousness and artificial intelligence. During this session, students and faculty presented various topics, including the role of AI in optimising nutrition and public health outcomes, and a comparative study on mental health outcomes, specifically examining the effect of yoga on mental consciousness.

Based upon an evaluation of the papers presented by delegates in different sessions using scheduled evaluation sheets , the best presenter award was won by Chandrajeet Dhara and Keshvy Priya Sinha from ASU whereas the runner up prize was bagged by Ms. Japneet Kaur and her team from the KR Mangalam University. 

The valedictory session was graced by esteemed guest Major General Ranjit Singh, former VC of Central University of Haryana; where he talked about air, water, and smile and explained about ego in human beings. He explained about physical, mental, and emotional strength. He also mentioned excess use of mobile phones and problems faced by people. The program concluded with the distribution of prizes and certificates to session Chairpersons and coordinators of various committees. Dr. Divya Khabra delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of all event coordinators for successfully organising the event. 

The conference was successfully organised and executed with the support of Dr Ananda Padhan and Dr Parikshit Vashisht who were the conveners along with Dr Vijay Kumar who was the convener cum organising secretary of the conference. Additionally, Dr Sonam Raheja, Dr Astha Mehta and Dr Divya were the coordinators for the event.