Natural Language Processing as Digital Veda: A Humanistic Framework for Language, Ethics, and AI

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Goldsmiths University in London, United Kingdom, have introduced a new framework for understanding Natural Language Processing (NLP) as a culturally rooted communicative infrastructure, inspired by the ancient Vedic tradition of structured knowledge preservation and ethical discourse. This interdisciplinary approach draws on India's linguistic and philosophical heritage, positioning NLP as an evolving ecosystem shaped by human values, language ideologies, and socio-cultural narratives. The study aims to offer a critical, decolonial lens on mainstream NLP, highlighting digital language hierarchies, the marginalization of low-resource Indian languages, and biases embedded in large language model (LLM) training data.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers conceptualize NLP as the Digital Veda, framing it as a culturally rooted communicative infrastructure inspired by the Vedic tradition.
  • The study maps the four Vedas to key NLP domains: Rigveda (language modelling), Yajurveda (syntax and pipelines), Samaveda (phonetics and speech), and Atharvaveda (applied AI).
  • The research highlights the marginalization of low-resource Indian languages and biases embedded in large language model (LLM) training data.
  • The study proposes a Vedic-inspired ethical AI framework, grounded in the principles of Dharma (righteous design), Ahimsa (non-harm), and Moksha (AI for truth and well-being).
  • The framework aims to contribute to a more inclusive, context-aware vision for language technologies with practical applications in multilingual NLP, bias mitigation, and ethically aligned AI governance.
  • The researchers emphasize the importance of culturally informed, responsible innovation in AI development.

Statistics:

  • The study maps the four Vedas to key NLP domains, highlighting the complexity and depth of the Vedic tradition in NLP.
  • The Research has been peer-reviewed.
  • The study aims to contribute to a more inclusive, context-aware vision for language technologies.
  • The framework proposes to ground AI development in principles of Dharma (righteous design), Ahimsa (non-harm), and Moksha (AI for truth and well-being).

Sources:

  • Natural Language Processing As Digital Veda ((Sic)): a Humanistic Framework for Language, Ethics, and Ai. Digital Scholarship in the Humanities, 2025.
  • Oxford Univ Press, Great Clarendon St, Oxford OX2 6DP, England (Contact for Digital Scholarship in the Humanities)
  • Akshi Kumar, Goldsmiths University, School of Computing, London SE14 6NW, United Kingdom (Additional information)