Question: My entire school syllabus is available in the prescribed books. We search for additional information through Google and get them in a jiffy with the help of Artificial Intelligence. In that case, do we students need teachers at all after the arrival of Google?
Swami Vimurtananda: Your question is nice to hear! However, it is full of ignorance with limited view and understanding. Your thoughts are, perhaps, in this order of “Mata-pita-Google-God”. You want to replace Google with Guru, is it so?
As you grow up, can you ignore your parents' contributions to your life and progress further? Is it wise to cut the base of a tree wherein you are sitting on the top?
Artificial Intelligence can be used to better the lives of people if it is in the safe hands of good people. If Artificial Intelligence falls into the hands of evil minds, it becomes dangerous for the people and disastrous for society.
Further, as you might presume, the teachers are not like memory sticks that mechanically inject all the information into your mind. The teachers help you to understand and differentiate between good and bad, permanent and impermanent, and also right and wrong. If such useful information relevant to your life doesn’t reach your heart, then it is of no use.
A good teacher is one, who ensures that these values are followed and implemented in your day-to-day life.
In the modern era, the good and best students always know how to utilise their opportunities, and scientific techniques by following this order of MP3G's formula (Mata – Pita – Google – Guru - God).
Swami Vivekananda is looking for such young minds possessing religious and scientific temperaments and knowledge as qualities, which could convert intelligence into spiritual wisdom.
Further, the teachers ensure that the students attain their full potential through discipline, direction, dedication and devotion to their studies.
Google can show you how to shoot with an AK47 gun. But before shooting, only the teacher could help you to think and understand the implications of it by differentiating between a patriot and a terrorist.
The teacher imparts his knowledge and experience whereas Google is just an informative tool. The basic knowledge to operate Google is also provided by the teacher. Even Google was founded by a few good students who studied under some great and inspirational teachers.
The teacher is like the foundation of the house, while all the furniture in the house is comparable to Google.
Google can provide you with various thoughts, visuals, etc., but a good teacher is the only foundation upon whom the entire character, growth and future of the students are built.
Swami Vimurtananda
29 June, 2023
Ramakrishna Math, Thanjavur