Deepak Chopra: 'Technology is Neutral, It's Up to Us How We Use It'
*By Chloe Aiello*
The internet can be a toxic place ー but it doesn't have to be, according to Deepak Chopra.
The bestselling author and new age advocate is helping to build a healthier internet through a new Amazon ($AMZN) Alexa skill that delivers his daily "intentions." The skill is a result of a partnership with A.I.-provider LivePerson's innovation lab, LivePerson Studios.
"Technology right now is the global brain. If you want to see the human condition, just go on the internet. Divine, diabolical, sinner, saint ー it is all there. We can rewire the global brain if we want for a more peaceful, just sustainable, healthier and joyful world," Chopra told Cheddar on Friday.
"Alexa, Open Deepak's reflections." That's all enthusiasts of Amazon's assistant need to say to access 30 seconds of Chopra's private shower thoughts, and just maybe kick off the day on a more mindful note. And these are no canned responses. Deepak actually records them daily himself, according to LivePerson.
"I just shoot the breeze and people seem to enjoy. I don't have any conscious intention, other than, you know, we should all have ... joyful, energetic body; loving, compassionate heart; clear mind; lightness of being," Chopra said. "It's like I'm singing in the bathroom and people like the song."
"Now it's on Amazon Alexa," he chuckled.
LivePerson CEO and founder Robert Locascio says the new skill is one way of taking back technology for good ー of connecting and engaging users, rather than targeting them.
"I think we gotta take it back. I've been in technology for 20 years, we went off a road. And technology companies ー even what we see with social ー it's hurting our society in many ways," he said.
"It's about connectivity, it \[should never have been\] about influencing people and corrupting their brains," he added.
This is LivePerson's innovation lab LivePerson Studios' first partnership with an influencer, but Locascio said he plans to do more in the future. He also hopes to expand to other platforms, like Facebook ($FB) Messenger, iMessage and more.
"Technology is neutral, its up to us how we use it," Chopra added.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/now-you-can-hear-deepak-chopra-any-time-on-amazon-alexa).
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On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: CEO of Achieve Life Sciences discusses a new plant-based compound that's being used to fight nicotine addiction; President & CEO OF DiaMedica Therapeutics explains a new ischemic stroke treatment option that expands the window for effective therapy for stroke patients; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'Asteroid Rush.'
