A Soul for Artificial Intelligence
The history of human civilization is a story of people living together in tribes, communities, and nations, forming societies of various kinds. Within these societies, individuals have always played a dual role: they work to sustain themselves and contribute to the collective good, while society, in turn, ensures their well-being by providing essential needs. The health of a society has traditionally been measured by how well this mutual relationship is maintained—how individuals support the society and how the society takes care of its members.
Throughout history, there have been examples of flourishing civilizations built on this principle of cooperation. The ancient civilizations of the Indus Valley, including Harappa, inadvertently though, exemplified a well-structured society where people lived in harmony, contributing their best to the collective progress. These societies were characterized by fairness, equity, and the absence of birth-based caste discrimination. However, over time, this civilization, and consequently the Indian society itself , faced disruptions, due to divisive social structures like the birth based caste system introduced by corrupt sections among the priestly and warrior classes, which led to rigid social hierarchies and exploitation.
The Rise of Capitalism and its Consequences
For centuries, societies functioned under various forms of governance, including feudal systems, where the roles of individuals and institutions—such as religious centers, markets, and ruling authorities—were relatively established . While these systems had their flaws, they maintained a semblance of order and mutual dependency between individuals and the larger social framework.
The onset of capitalism, particularly after the Industrial Revolution in Europe, dramatically altered this balance. Before capitalism took hold, individuals in society were largely independent service providers—artisans, blacksmiths, painters, and craftsmen—who contributed directly to their communities. However, industrialization brought about the mass employment of these skilled individuals under a small group of capitalists. Workers found themselves subjected to long hours, minimal wages, and exploitative conditions, as profit maximization became the primary goal of business enterprises.
The emergence of corporations and large-scale industrial entities shifted power away from individuals and into the hands of a wealthy minority. Instead of growing alongside society, businesses began growing at the expense of society. The divide between the wealthy elite and the struggling working class widened, leading to deteriorating living conditions for the majority while a select few amassed unprecedented wealth. This economic disparity fueled resistance, ultimately leading to the rise of socialist and communist ideologies as counter-movements.
The Failure of Alternatives: Communism’s Experiment
The backlash against capitalism gave birth to socialist and communist ideologies, which promised to eliminate economic inequality and ensure fair distribution of wealth. However, history has shown that the implementation of communism in places like the former USSR, China, and Cambodia led to its own set of failures. While communism sought to eradicate exploitation, it did so at the cost of individual freedom, creativity, and innovation. Instead of achieving true equality, these regimes often resorted to authoritarian control, suppressing free speech and personal expression. Millions of lives were lost in these “experiments,” and many more suffered under restrictive, oppressive governance. Those killed or suffered included innocents, intellectuals and creative people. Men without commitment to welfare of people occupied leadership and key positions of power as ‘proletariats’ who soon showed their true color as dictators and exploiters
Recognizing these flaws, major communist countries, including China, have since integrated capitalist principles to revive their economies, however without diluting their authoritarian and dictatorial minds. This shift highlights the need for a balanced approach rather than a complete rejection or acceptance of either ideology.
Technology’s Role in Reshaping Societies
With each technological revolution, from the steam engine to the digital era, humanity has faced challenges related to labor displacement and social restructuring. Mechanization and automation have historically improved productivity but have also rendered many traditional jobs obsolete, forcing societies to adapt.
However, the current wave of technological advancement—Artificial Intelligence (AI)—poses an unprecedented threat. Unlike previous industrial and digital transformations, which primarily affected the lower and middle classes, AI has the potential to disrupt the lives of people across all social and economic levels, including highly educated professionals such as scientists, doctors, engineers, and academics. AI-driven automation is rapidly replacing not only manual labor but also cognitive and creative tasks, fundamentally altering the way society functions.
The Urgent Need for a Solution
The AI revolution is unlike any previous technological shift because it challenges the very fabric of human identity and purpose. If left unchecked, it risks reducing individuals to mere “raw materials” of production, devoid of agency or social status. The unchecked pursuit of profit by AI-driven corporations could further exacerbate social inequality, leaving millions unemployed or underemployed, with little control over their destinies.
To address this impending crisis, a new approach is necessary—one that ensures AI serves humanity rather than replaces it. Just as societies have historically functioned based on mutual care and cooperation, AI must be developed with ethical principles and human values at its core. This requires not just regulatory oversight but also a fundamental rethinking of AI’s purpose in society.
We must ask ourselves: Can AI have a ‘soul’? Can we imbue artificial intelligence with ethical considerations, social responsibility, and a commitment to human well-being? The answer to this question will determine whether AI becomes a force for societal progress or a harbinger of economic and social collapse.
The challenge before us is immense, but history has shown that human societies are capable of adaptation and resilience. The time to act is now—to shape AI in a way that aligns with humanity’s collective welfare rather than allowing it to be wielded solely as a tool of profit and control.
Only then can we ensure that AI, like the societies before it, contributes to human progress rather than diminishing it.
Building a Soul for AI: A Corporate and Societal Imperative
Where to Start?
History has shown that the health and longevity of societies depend on cooperation between individuals and the collective entity of society itself. Thriving civilizations have demonstrated a shared conscience and set of virtues that permeate from their people, fostering stability and progress. Societies that cultivated these values among their members survived and flourished, while those that failed to do so eventually fell into chaos.
At the heart of this idea is the role of individuals—people with souls, virtues, and ethical considerations. However, businesses and corporations, as non-human entities, inherently lack a soul. Unlike individuals, they do not possess an intrinsic moral compass, emotions, or a sense of responsibility. Historically, their function has been purely economic—driven by profit rather than ethical considerations.
Yet, we can observe a crucial turning point in history: the moment when businesses, particularly large-scale corporate entities, became dominant societal members with the ability to steer economic and political decisions. This shift marked the beginning of a gradual degradation of societal well-being. Instead of serving as contributors to a healthier and more balanced society, corporations evolved into powerful engines of wealth accumulation, often at the expense of societal harmony.
The Root of the Problem: Economic Theories Lagging Behind Innovation
It is not the invention of machines, technological advancements, or even the digital revolution that has led to global socio-economic disparities. The core issue lies in the failure to parallel these advancements with an evolution in economic theories and governance models. While science and engineering have propelled humanity forward, economic systems, corporate ethics, and governance policies have failed to keep pace, leaving society vulnerable to widening inequalities.
The world has repeatedly experienced similar disruptions: the Industrial Revolution displaced artisans and small-scale producers, the digital revolution automated numerous clerical and manufacturing jobs, and now, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution threatens not just low- and mid-level employment but also the jobs of highly skilled professionals. AI’s potential for disruption is unlike anything before—it extends beyond physical labor to decision-making, knowledge work, and even creative industries.
In response, there is an urgent need to redefine the role of businesses in society. We must address the fundamental question:
Why Should Businesses Exist in Society?
The existence of a business should not merely be justified by profit-seeking motives. Businesses exist because society needs the products and services they provide. Therefore, at their core, businesses should be instruments of service—designed to meet human needs, solve problems, and contribute to social progress. They should grow with society, not at its expense.
To realign business objectives with societal well-being, a paradigm shift is required in corporate philosophy. Businesses must move beyond a profit-driven mindset and adopt a spiritually conscious, ethically grounded, and socially responsible approach to commerce. This means redefining success not just in terms of financial gains but in terms of the value created for society at large.
A Proposal for Businesses: Defining a New Corporate Ethos
The following nine-point proposal outlines a new corporate doctrine that businesses, institutions, and policymakers should consider adopting. It serves as a framework for redefining business objectives, aligning them with ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities while ensuring long-term sustainability.
CORPORATE BUSINESS OBJECTIVES
1. Purpose-Driven Product & Service Development
• The company shall produce, market, and distribute products/services of exceptional quality, meeting or exceeding international standards.
• Pricing shall be competitive yet fair, ensuring accessibility for consumers while maintaining business sustainability.
• Innovation should be driven by a desire to improve human life, not merely to maximize sales or manipulate consumer behavior.
2. Ethical & Responsible Competition
• The company shall engage in healthy competition that prioritizes innovation, excellence, and customer satisfaction over aggressive market dominance.
• Research and development shall focus on value creation rather than monopolistic practices or artificial market barriers.
3. Employee Welfare & Fair Compensation
• Employees are the backbone of any enterprise. The company shall:
o Provide fair and competitive remuneration based on skills, contributions, and performance.
o Offer career development opportunities and invest in training and education.
o Ensure work-life balance, fostering a healthy, motivated, and productive workforce.
o Share the financial benefits derived from technological advancements with employees rather than using automation solely for cost-cutting.
4. Ethical Supply Chains & Business Partnerships
• The company shall honor contracts and agreements with suppliers, distributors, and contractors, ensuring fair compensation and timely payments.
• Ethical sourcing of materials and responsible procurement shall be prioritized.
5. Commitment to Research & Sustainable Innovation
• The company shall invest in research and development aimed at improving product quality, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Efforts shall be made to reduce environmental impact, improve waste management, and advance eco-friendly technologies.
6. Adherence to Regulations & Ethical Standards
• The company shall strictly comply with national and international regulations, codes, and standards.
• Where existing standards are insufficient, the company shall proactively participate in the development of more ethical and sustainable industry practices.
7. Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability
• Acknowledging that businesses depend on a healthy environment, the company shall:
o Minimize environmental damage by adopting sustainable manufacturing, energy use, and waste disposal practices.
o Engage in conservation efforts and contribute to global sustainability initiatives.
o Ensure that business operations consider the well-being of future generations.
8. Responsible Corporate Citizenship
• The company shall act as a responsible societal member, supporting public welfare initiatives, educational programs, and community development projects.
• Ethical engagement with governments and policymakers shall be maintained to support fair and transparent regulatory frameworks.
9. Profit with a Purpose
• The company shall be managed for generating profit for its owners , shareholders and investors and for sustainability, and expansion without compromising on the objectives as mentioned above
Towards a Business Model with a Soul
Artificial Intelligence and automation will continue to evolve, presenting both opportunities and threats. However, the most critical challenge is not the technology itself, but the economic, political, and social structures governing it. The world does not need businesses that prioritize short-term gains; it needs businesses with a conscience, companies with a mission, and economies that value people as much as profits.
By redefining corporate objectives, we can begin to integrate a soul into AI—not by making machines human, but by ensuring that businesses, as creators and users of AI, act ethically, responsibly, and with long-term societal interest in mind.
The Call to Action
Business leaders, policymakers, and academic institutions must come together to drive this transformation. There needs to be:
• A global conversation on ethical AI and corporate responsibility.
• Policy reforms that incentivize responsible business practices.
• Corporate governance models that balance profit-making with societal well-being.
• “Baptizing” Business Corporations as responsible member of the world society
The future will be shaped by those who recognize that success is not just about wealth accumulation but about creating a fair, sustainable, and humane world. It is time to instill a soul in AI—starting with the businesses that control it.