While the world’s gaze gravitates towards English and Mandarin as AI’s lingua franca, India holds a hidden trump card: Sanskrit. This is a language whose structure and essence resonate with the fundamental principles of intelligent computing.
Unlike its Western counterparts, burdened by rigid sentence structures and linear grammar, Sanskrit thrives on flexibility. Its constellation of word-order possibilities and nuanced system for capturing meaning aligns perfectly with the dynamic nature of AI, where data constantly reconfigures, and algorithms adapt to new patterns.
Imagine feeding Sanskrit texts to an AI program. Their richness of expression, liberated from rigid grammatical constraints, would allow the machine to truly grasp the subtleties of language, not just parse surface syntax. Sanskrit’s syntax, morphology, and semantics can provide a solid foundation for AI applications.
Syntax Sanskrit follows a subject-object-verb sentence structure. For example, the sentence, ‘The cat eats the fish’ would be (svah matsyam bhaksayati) in Sanskrit. The consistent sentence structure aids in parsing and understanding the relationships between different elements in a sentence. AI models can benefit from this regularity when processing and generating language.
Morphology Sanskrit verbs undergo extensive conjugation based on factors like tense, mood and person. For instance, the root verb (gam), meaning ‘to go’, can take various forms like (gachhati — he/she/it goes) or (gachhatam — they go). The detailed morphological structure of Sanskrit verbs allows AI models to capture nuanced temporal and contextual information. This enhances the precision of natural language understanding and generation.
Semantic richness Sanskrit has multiple words expressing different facets of love, such as (prema) for deep affection, (bhakti) for devotion, and (kama) for desire. AI systems can benefit from this semantic richness, enabling them to grasp and convey subtle distinctions in meaning. This is crucial for sentiment analysis and language generation applications.
Panini’s grammar C. 500 BC Sanskrit philologist Panini’s Ashtadhyayi (Book of Eight Chapters) introduces precise rules governing the formation of sentences and the construction of compound words integral to Sanskrit. Such laws provide a structured framework and offer a systematic approach to language, aiding in developing algorithms for language processing and understanding.
Logical structure The logical flow in Sanskrit sentences, with the subject typically preceding the object and the verb at the end, contributes to a clear and systematic expression of ideas. Logical structures in Sanskrit assist AI models in understanding the relationships between different elements in a sentence. This logical flow enhances the coherence and interpretability of AI-generated text.
Generative capacity Sanskrit’s inflectional morphology allows the generation of numerous word forms from a limited set of roots. For example, from the root (bhu — to be), we get various forms like (bhavati — he/she/it is), (bhavanti — they are). The generative capacity of Sanskrit facilitates the creation of diverse and contextually appropriate language. AI models can leverage this feature to produce more varied and natural-sounding text.
Phonetic precision Sanskrit’s phonetic nature is conducive to developing effective speech-recognition systems. The phonetic precision of Sanskrit sounds, and its well-defined script, can enhance the accuracy of voice-based interactions with AI. Its phonetic properties can facilitate seamless communication across diverse linguistic landscapes.
To leverage Sanskrit for AI, the road ahead could comprise the following: Sanskrit-AI bridge India must invest in R&D of AI tools designed explicitly for Sanskrit. This includes the creation of digital libraries of Sanskrit texts, developing AI algorithms tailored to the language’s unique features, and the training of a new generation of scholars equipped with linguistic expertise and AI knowhow.
Collaborate Fostering collaboration between AI researchers, Sanskrit scholars and cultural institutions is paramount. By uniting diverse skill sets, we can ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically to promote the language’s true essence without succumbing to cultural appropriation or misrepresentation.
Catch them young Educational initiatives that utilise interactive AI tools and gamified learning experiences can make Sanskrit engaging and relevant for the young.
Beyond borders Sharing AI tools and fostering international research partnerships can position India as a leader in AI development and the preservation of linguistic heritage.However, the road ahead has its challenges. The lack of digital Sanskrit resources, specialised AI expertise and the potential for cultural appropriation require careful consideration and strategic navigation.
By harnessing the power of Sanskrit and AI, India can march ahead in the AI race, claim its cultural space under the sun and contribute meaningfully to the global conversation about intelligence and language. It is time to awaken the sleeping giant of Sanskrit, not just for India but for the world. The treasures it holds have the potential to reshape our understanding of language, thought, technology and, ultimately, ourselves.
By Rohit K Singh
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/epaper/delhicapital/2024/jan/06/satet-edit/speaking-ai-inskrit/articleshow/106583779.cms
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