Healing Traditions and the Dilemmas of Knowledge in the Age of AI
A Personal Journey Through Medical Decisions
Just a few years ago, I faced a family crisis when my dad was diagnosed with a tumor on his tongue. This wasn’t just a medical situation; it was a crossroads of beliefs and values within my family. My older sister, a trained doctor in Western medicine, stood firmly in favor of surgery, while my parents, deeply rooted in traditional healing practices, were skeptical about such invasive procedures. Growing up in a small town in India, I had always seen my dad maintain a connection with traditional remedies, primarily through the pungent herb-infused oil he acquired from the vaithiyar, a practitioner of Siddha medicine, during our visits to his home village in Tamil Nadu.
The Dynamics of Choice
When confronted with the potential danger of a malignant tumor, it was apparent that a decision had to be made quickly. My sister and the hospital doctors advocated for immediate surgery, fearing the implications of delaying treatment, but my parents were reluctant. They worried about how surgery would affect my dad’s ability to speak, a vital tool for a man who cherished communication. This is when I found myself playing the role of mediator and, naturally, I turned to the internet for answers, which ultimately led me to side with my sister’s medical perspective.
Despite our concerted efforts, my dad skillfully diverted the attention from surgery, using my sister’s pregnancy as a distraction. This maneuver proved to be fortuitous: after several months of using his herbal concoctions, the tumor unexpectedly shrank to the point of disappearing altogether. At first, I dismissed this as a lucky exception, but the longer I contemplated these events, the more I wondered if I had been too quick to discard my parents’ trust in traditional knowledge while accepting the so-called authority of online resources.
The Rise of AI and its Impact on Knowledge
As I delved into my research at Cornell University, focusing on responsible AI systems, I became increasingly aware of the imbalances in knowledge systems accentuated by the digital age. The early internet was dominated by English and Western institutions, an imbalance that has only deepened. In an era where Generative AI (GenAI) is becoming the primary means of accessing information, it is crucial to reflect on how these systems reinforce certain ways of knowing while marginalizing others, especially those embedded in oral traditions or less commonly spoken languages like Hindi and Tamil.
Recent studies reveal a startling discrepancy: while English, representing about 19% of the global population, makes up approximately 45% of online content, languages such as Hindi and Tamil, spoken by millions, are significantly underrepresented. The implications of this bias extend far beyond mere numbers. They suggest a systematic erasure of long-held knowledge systems, especially those tied to local practices and experiences, thus threatening the resilience and diversity of global knowledge.
Oral Traditions and Local Knowledge Systems
Languages serve not just as communication tools but also as vessels for cultures, carrying insights honed over generations. Each language encapsulates unique ecological wisdom, cultural understandings, and social frameworks. When a language is marginalized or overlooked, the treasured knowledge connected to it often fades away. A notable example is the specific nomenclature of local plants in various communities, revealing intimate relationships with local ecosystems. The extinction of this knowledge leads to further disconnects from the very environments that cultures have thrived in for centuries.
Dharan Ashok, chief architect at Thannal, emphasizes the significance of language in sustaining Indigenous architectural knowledge. He argues that modern construction practices often ignore environmentally friendly methods embedded in local vernacular architecture, techniques that have stood the test of time. As climate change casts shadows over traditional building methods, the challenge is to revive these practices even as they risk becoming lost.
Cultural Hegemony and Knowledge Homogenization
The philosophy of cultural hegemony, articulated by Italian thinker Antonio Gramsci, becomes pertinent when discussing the dominance of certain knowledge systems over others. Gramsci posited that power is maintained not merely through coercion but also through cultural consensus. Over time, Western epistemologies have come to be regarded as objective and universal, overshadowing Indigenous knowledge systems that have historical and contextual significance.
For instance, in tropical regions, the widespread adoption of glass-walled buildings—originally designed for temperate climates—exemplifies how applying a singular solution without regard for local conditions leads to ecological and social disharmony. Modern development ignores the wisdom embedded in traditional building practices, which have thrived in harmony with specific climate conditions.
Revival of Traditional Practices
In cities like Bengaluru, traditionally managed water systems have been compromised by modern urbanization, illustrating how knowledge gaps not only harm local practices but can have wider ecological ramifications. The Neeruganti community once expertly governed intricate lake systems but has been sidelined by modern irrigation practices that prioritize efficiency over sustainable resource management. The dwindling of such community wisdom brings to light a troubling paradox: while technological advancement might promise efficiency, it often neglects the holistic understanding of ecosystems that has been cultivated over time.
The Role of AI and the Challenge of Inclusivity
As AI increasingly becomes integrated into education and everyday knowledge production, it risks perpetuating existing disparities and excluding marginalized forms of wisdom. The narrative surrounding AI often emphasizes its efficiency and capability to enhance productivity, yet these claims often disregard the nuances and local contexts that define real-world applications. Initiatives like the partnership between Karnataka’s government and Khan Academy aim to promote education but are likely to overlook the invaluable insights that Indigenous communities harness regarding local ecologies.
The Need for Broader Perspectives
Through my conversations with community leaders, agricultural experts, and Indigenous knowledge custodians, I have learned that recognizing expertise requires humility. The narratives surrounding innovation and progress often lack the necessary two-way dialogue needed to uplift local voices. Marginalized knowledge isn’t just a local issue—it is a global concern impacting sustainability, climate consciousness, and even urban resilience.
The scary reality is that as artificial intelligence continuously evolves, this knowledge gap may exacerbate. AI tools trained on predominantly Western epistemologies may distort what constitutes "valid" knowledge, further entrenching biases. Without acknowledging the rich tapestry of human experience that extends beyond dominant cultures, we risk entering a recursive cycle of diminishing knowledge diversity—potentially leading to a "knowledge collapse."
Moving Towards an Inclusive Future
As I reflect on the complexities of knowledge, tradition, and medical practices, the unresolved questions linger: Can we genuinely engage with and incorporate local wisdom within contemporary frameworks? Are we ready to listen and learn from practices that have endured through the generations? The essence of this inquiry lies in understanding that our quest for knowledge must encompass more than mere technical solutions; it must involve an authentic appreciation of the myriad ways of knowing and being in the world.
While I may still struggle with whether my father’s herbal remedies held any sway over his recovery, this uncertainty has become a space for growth. Acknowledging the intricacies of knowledge and the relationships we form with it might just be the beginning of understanding the value of what has been passed down through generations—an awareness that could be vital in addressing contemporary challenges.
