From India to Japan, religions are experimenting with the use of AI and robotics for spiritual customs. Though it’s still a relatively new area, it’s become controversial because of the differing perspectives on its potential benefits and drawbacks. While AI will likely last longer than a regular human lifespan, will it be able to conjure the type of consciousness or spirituality required to lead religion? From Japan to India, there are people who think so. Some Buddhist temples in Japan have used robots to give sermons and interact with visitors, and in India, robotic arms perform aarti–a ritual of offering an oil lamp to a deity. From reciting chants to worship services, we will likely see many more experiments in the years to come. Do you think AI and robotics can provide new opportunities for spiritual growth or are you concerned about the ethical implications?
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In February, 800,000 liters of industrial fuel was dropped into the Mindoro Provinces, Southwest of Manila, home to the highest concentration of marine biodiversity on the planet. The Philippines is now in crisis mode as the oil spill threatens marine life and the local jobs that depend on it. Cleanup costs will be high, with people's health and livelihoods on the line. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. believes the government will be able to contain and clean the spill in the next 4 months, while scientists are concerned that the damage will have long-lasting impacts on the delicate ecosystem. Voiceover Jeremy Kruis Producer Joy Jihyun Jeong Manal Ahmed Head of Production Stephanie Tangkilisan Editor in Chief Keshia Hannam Editor Emily Ma Additional Archival Material Al Jazeera Reuters Krypto Trekker/YouTube Tour Philippines/YouTube ANC Digital Additional Music Waiting for the Answer by Ballian De Moulle
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Turkish authorities have arrested 184 building contractors and property owners, who were allegedly involved in shoddy construction methods. However, the government knew about these unsafe practices near the faultlines for years. Who's really responsible? Since the initial earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, there have been over 10,000 aftershocks and over 50,000 people have died. 1.5 million people are living in makeshift shelters and 160,000 buildings collapsed. But corrupt building practices and flawed urban development can’t be solely pinned on construction contractors when the government continues to focus on speed more than safety.
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Will Kim Jong Un’s successor be his 9-year-old daughter? Kim Ju-ae has become a prominent figure at some of North Korea’s biggest moments, unlike her siblings that we know very little about. Does this point to her legitimacy as the future leader of North Korea or is it a PR stunt by the regime? Kim Ju-ae made her first appearance at a missile launch in 2022, and last week she was at the 75th anniversary celebration of the North Korean army. Already getting comfortable in the limelight and opting in for intimate moments shared with her father, Kim Ju-ae has experts wondering. Is there a possibility that a woman can ever become the face of this country?