In modern society, the term ‘intelligence’ is associated with learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making which varies from the ancient notions of the term. This paper examines the evolving meaning of ‘intelligence’ by bridging ancient Tamil philosophy in ‘Thirukkural’ with contemporary understandings of it shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI). While modern society equates intelligence with factors like cognitive efficiency, data processing, and problem-solving, ‘Thirukkural’ views ‘intelligence’ (arivu) as moral perception, ethical foresight, and the capacity to sustain a harmonious living. This paper highlights the gap between ancient and modern constructs of intelligence where the ancient ideology is grounded in ethical responsibility and collective welfare, and the modern ideas are often in technological advancement and individual optimization. By juxtaposing these perspectives, the paper also examines how aligning AI ethics with ‘Thirukkural’s’ educational vision can enrich SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, which is a part of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially in fostering critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and value-based learning in an AI-mediated world. The paper argues that education for the future must not reduce human intelligence to computational mimicry. Quality education should retain the moral and reflective essence envisioned in ‘Thirukkural’, ensuring that AI becomes a tool for nurturing wisdom rather than replacing it.

Authors:
Catherin Shino Durairaj, SASTRA University, India
Sashi Kala Govindarajulu, SASTRA University, India

About the Presenter(s)
Ms. Catherin Shino Durairaj is currently pursuing her doctoral research in Digital Humanities at SASTRA University, India.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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