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).
Peggy Whitson, Director of Human Space Flight, Axiom Space, joins Cheddar Innovates to discuss Axiom's involvement in the first fully-private mission to the ISS, and her experience spending 665 days in space.
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates, Peggy Whitson, Director of Human Space Flight, Axiom Space, breaks down Axiom's involvement in the first fully-private mission to the ISS, and her experience spending 665 days in space; William Li and Danielle Chang, co-founders of The Hao Life, discuss how they're shaking up the $71 billion supplement industry by putting a modern spin on traditional natural Chinese remedies; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'Sagrada Familia: Gaudi's Challenge.'
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: President of The Pillow Bar breaks down how everyone can benefit from a pillow customized to their unique way of sleeping; CEO of H2Pro explains how to bring environmentally friendly hydrogen to scale; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'Suppressed Science.'
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Gardenuity CEO breaks down how gardening can improve your wellbeing; Augmedix CEO discusses how this technology is helping doctors fight burnout; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'Suppressed Science.'
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Atom Limbs CEO breaks down how the Atom Touch prosthetic is different from other prosthetics on the market; CEO & Chief Scientific Officer of MyMD explains how the MYMD-1 is on track to be the first FDA-approved drug to treat aging and age-related diseases; A look at Curiosity Stream's 'The Future of Warfare.'
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: SkilsVR CEO explains how virtual reality is being used to train frontline workers to handle difficult customers; Rubicon CEO breaks down how technology and sustainability will go hand in hand in the future; Cheddar gets a look at 'Our Infinite Universe.'
As Russian forces invade Ukraine, millions of dollars in cryptocurrency has flowed into the country to lend support. Russian citizens are also seeing the appeal after sanctions have made their traditional banks unreliable. Robbie Heeger, president and CEO of Endaoment, joins Cheddar News to discuss.