Hosted by J’aime Rothbard, Kevin Young and Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard.

Join us as we explore the overall impact of technology and AI on human attachments, relationships, dependence, skills, wellbeing and our environment. AI is examined in therapeutic contexts, along with the considerable ethical and societal concerns around its use in that capacity, and the documented damage it can inflict on vulnerable populations. 

Sat Dharam addresses a number of ‘hot’ tech and AI topics including the: - Potential future implications of transferring human attachment needs to technology - Innate addictive qualities of tech apps, devices and our increasing addiction to information - Growing human disconnection from intimate presence, relationships, emotions and engagement - Links between our increasing reliance on technology and the loss of essential life-skills - Increases in human dysregulation, dissatisfaction and disembodiment

AI and Data Centers’ high water and power consumption are flagged as an "unconscious abuse" of planetary resources, as few are aware of just how costly these ’free tools’ are, from an environmental perspective. Should we be diverting resources vital for agriculture and other needs to AI and tech? 

The conversation concludes with a call for tech innovators to provide us with ethical guidelines, checks, balances and impact reports. Sat Dharam also emphasizes the need for discernment when using AI.

About Sat Dharam Kaur Compassionate Inquiry® Co-Director, Training Facilitator, Circle Leader, Certified Practitioner

Sat Dharam is a practicing naturopathic doctor (since 1989) with a focus on women’s health, cancer and mind-body approaches to healing. Since 2012, she has been studying, hosting, working and teaching with Dr. Gabor Maté. She structured his work in a teachable format; the Compassionate Inquiry® Professional Online Training. Since 2019, much of her naturopathic practice has included Compassionate Inquiry®. 

Sat Dharam’s educational background includes a BA majoring in Psychology & English Literature, and a BSc in Biology from the University of Guelph. She completed her postgraduate studies in naturopathic medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, where she also taught stress management and women’s health for 10 years. The author of multiple *books on women’s health, Sat Dharam has also presented at numerous conferences.

An expert instructor in Kundalini Yoga, which she has practiced and taught for over 45 years, Sat Dharam has developed yoga-based curricula in addiction recovery, trauma, and breast health; specialties in which she offers training to teachers around the world.

Sat Dharam and her husband live in an off-grid home on 105 acres of beautiful land where she nurtures fruit trees and a large garden. She enjoys hiking, cycling, and communing with plants. She has three adult children and two grandchildren.

Promotional Message:

If you’re drawn to Dr Gabor Maté’s teachings and books, you might like to know about the Compassionate Inquiry Short Course. It provides an introduction to the powerful therapeutic trauma healing approach created by Dr Gabor Maté and developed by Sat Dharam Kaur. The Short Course delivers 30 hours of video and narrated powerpoints, plus PDFs that together, will not only help you understand the origins of trauma and how it can be healed, but also how trauma is linked to mental and physical illnesses. Tap this link to learn more about this program, that’s priced and presented to make it accessible to all.

Resources Websites:

Professional Site

Compassionate Inquiry Profile

Relevant links:

Beyond Addiction

Compassionate Inquiry

Research: Stanford AI in Mental Health Care Study

Should LLM (AI) be Used as a Therapist?

Barriers to Healthcare Access

Generative AI's Environmental Impact

Calculating the True Environmental Costs of AI

The Hidden Costs of AI | Sustainability

Books:

*The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Women’s Health

*A Call to Women: The Healthy Breast Program & Workbook

*A Naturopathic Guide to Preventing Breast Cancer

*The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Breast Cancer

Hold on to Your Kids

Video: AI Slop Quotes:

“...in the first months of our lives, the attachment bond happens with parents. In the first two or three years of our lives, the attachment bond happens with the Earth. If children are placed in front of the television at an early age, our attachment needs will get transferred to technology, and that becomes the future of humanity. We're not realizing that's happening.” – Sat Dharam Kaur 

“Are we skilled in discerning and knowing how to use technology for the betterment of humans [and] the planet? Or is technology interfering with our humanity and the well being of the planet? Those are big questions for any new technology.” – Sat Dharam Kaur 

“...if we looked at all data centers today, the amount of water that they utilize would irrigate 270,000 acres of corn, 380,000 acres of wheat, 130,000 acres of almonds, and 91,000 acres of rice. And that will jump exponentially in the next two years. Is that what we choose to do?” – Sat Dharam Kaur 

“...given that we are becoming so used to these micro interactions and bite sized bits of things, how then do we have deep meaningful conversations? Are we losing that ability to sit in those deep meaningful places with ourselves and other people?” - Kevin Young

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