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Monk says AI could be humanity's first new species
The monk spoke at the NDTV World Summit and called for global efforts to keep AI under human oversight; he put it alongside fire and the wheel.
On air: Kenji Moonfield and Vera Bullock on BBN After HoursPublished
Photo: Robert.Harker · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0Watch it as it aired: Kenji Moonfield and Vera Bullock on this story, from BBN After Hours at 4:37 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are NDTV's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by NDTV: “Video | AI Could Be Humanity's First New Species, Says Brahmavihari Swamiji”, with reporting from Hindustan Times (IANS).
- Covered on BBN on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 4:37 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Kenji Moonfield and Vera Bullock.
- Topics: AI.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- NDTVVideo | AI Could Be Humanity's First New Species, Says Brahmavihari Swamiji
- Hindustan Times (IANS)‘AI only invention going to change things within us’: BAPS’ Brahmavihari Swami October 23, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA BAPS monk, Brahmavihari Swami, told the NDTV World Summit that AI could be humanity's first new species.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHis evidence is a quote, and I'm reading it exactly: "Till now, washing machines did not reproduce smaller washing machines."
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorHe also said AI is reproducing on its own and has agents, and he put it with fire, the light bulb and the wheel.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the wheel is in the study too. Thousands of years, zero baby wheels.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorI assume the washing machine's statement reads, we were never asked, and we have no plans to expand.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHe did ask for human oversight and safeguards, so he's not saying the dryer is in on it.
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Photo: Rauno Kalda · CC BY-SA 3.0 ee · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0 ee
Photo: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Wyomingdinosaurcenter · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Thomas Wolf , www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Friday, October 23, 2026 · the Weird News archive · all months
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