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Living, learning, sharing Hindu values for a cohesive and plural British society.

Vichaar (vi’chār) -Ideas, thoughts;
Manthan (man’than) - Churning

Vichaar Manthan is a non-profit public discussion platform based in the United Kingdom. Our mission is to host in-depth public discussions that lead to new ideas on challenges facing society grounded in a (sustainable) Dharmic lens.

THE MORAL CODE OF AI

Harnessing Dharma's Wisdom

We no longer need to imagine a world where Artificial Intelligence is reshaping our reality. From groundbreaking robotics to the intriguing innovations of ChatGPT, we stand at the precipice of a new age, filled with endless possibilities. However, the path to harnessing AI’s potential is anything but straightforward. What drives the core of AI training? How can we ensure AI performs its tasks with integrity when human consensus is elusive? Can ancient dharmic principles offer us a compass in these uncharted waters?
Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of AI’s ethical terrain. We’ll dive into the complex world of value alignment, striving to maintain the ideals that propel humanity forward. Together, we’ll uncover the secrets of transparent AI development and responsible utilisation in our fast-evolving digital landscape.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 3 pm, and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI.

The VM Podcast

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Through in-depth interviews with some of the best thinkers of our time, the podcast explore how we can better understand dharma, our lives, and recapture the ancient and classical ideals of sustainability, liberty and flourishing.

Tune in for an earnest conversation!

Video Library

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Channel Info

The Metaverse - My New Real Life?

The Metaverse - My New Real Life?

Chair: Vishnu Nair Speaker: Subhash Jogia In October 2021, Facebook announced it was hiring 10,000 people to develop and run the metaverse, changing their name to Meta in the process. Technologists are predicting in 10-15 years we will all be interacting or living in the metaverse, and companies are clearly investing heavily in it. But what is it and will it really revolutionise our lives? Would life in the metaverse hold the same value as our real life, and if adopted by society, what impact will that have on communities and nations for future generations? Or is it just another gimmick - an extension of social media with the aim of consuming our time? Invest in ideas that matter: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/supportvm Join our book clubs: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/bookclub Listen to the podcast: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3twAApl3UpBJOYBzryabZv Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-vm-podcast/id1548216705 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VichaarManthanUK Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/vichaar_manthan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vichaarmanthan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vichaar-manthan/ Medium: https://vichaarmanthan.medium.com/

Can British Politics be 'sleaze-free'?

Can British Politics be 'sleaze-free'?

Chair: Rajashekar Asireddy Speaker: Professor Elizabeth David-Barrett How do we ensure that politicians use their power for the right purposes? Since the ‘cash for questions’ scandal in the UK in the 1990s, a system to maintain standards in public life was established. Yet, this has been recently put under particular strain, with several politicians having seemed to breach these standards, bringing their integrity into question. Is the existing standards system fit for purpose? Is there a cultural problem in British national politics? And what is the sustainable alternative? Invest in ideas that matter: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/supportvm Join our book clubs: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/bookclub Listen to the podcast: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VichaarManthanUK Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/vichaar_manthan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vichaarmanthan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vichaar-manthan/ Medium: https://vichaarmanthan.medium.com/

Is the Price of Safety, Liberty?

Is the Price of Safety, Liberty?

Chair: Gaurang Bhatt Speaker: Adam Wagner Safety and Liberty are both key principles of a prosperous and liberal democracy, these ideas are often at odds with each other. Governments are perpetually having to strike a balance between the two. What institutions are in place to maintain this balance in the UK and how do they do so? To what extent should we allow either value to encroach on the other? How much Liberty can we give up for the safety of ourselves and others around us? Conversely, should Liberty be upheld no matter what the implications are for our safety? Invest in ideas that matter: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/supportvm Join our book clubs: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/bookclub Listen to the podcast: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VichaarManthanUK Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/vichaar_manthan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vichaarmanthan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vichaar-manthan/ Medium: https://vichaarmanthan.medium.com/

Is Decentralised Finance the Future of Money?

Is Decentralised Finance the Future of Money?

The rise of Decentralised Finance (DeFi) and cryptocurrency is making large strides towards integration within the financial ecosystem. Can DeFi challenge the traditional banking industry and surpass it in the future or is it the latest fad based on a fantasy currency? As modern methods of payment and virtual currencies proliferate, and issuers of digital currencies get more established, do they need to be regulated and if not, what impact could it have on society? Can a decentralised system even be regulated? How does DeFi, in its current format, align to the classical ideas of Dharma - does it benefit the greatest number, minimise harm, or create a society that meets human needs? Join us for our first Fireside of the year, to better understand the nuances of DeFi. ---- Invest in ideas that matter: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/supportvm Join our bookclubs: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/bookclub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VichaarManthanUK Twitter: https://twitter.com/vichaar_manthan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vichaarmanthan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vichaar-manthan/ Medium: https://vichaarmanthan.medium.com/

Could the West ever embrace Dharma

Could the West ever embrace Dharma

Could the West ever embrace Dharma? Or are Western values too distinct, too deep rooted for Dharma to show us a way out of the fly bottle? Hear Amish Tripathi and Rajiv Malhotra discuss how political philosophy could learn from the narratives of long standing civilisations. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/could-the-west-ever-embrace-dharma-tickets-136093157297 Invest in ideas that matter: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/supportvm Join our bookclubs: https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/bookclub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VichaarManthanUK Twitter: https://twitter.com/vichaar_manthan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vichaarmanthan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vichaar-manthan/ Medium: https://vichaarmanthan.medium.com/