AI hologram of Sadhguru debuts at Mahashivratri fest

Isha Foundation introduced an AI-driven hologram of its founder, Sadhguru, at its Mahashivratri festival in Coimbatore. Using Proto Hologram units, attendees could have one-to-one conversations with an on-screen avatar in multiple languages.

The installation was set up at the Isha Yoga Centre during the all-night event, which ran from early evening into the morning. The festival includes guided meditations with Sadhguru, along with music and cultural performances.

Mahashivratri attracted hundreds of thousands of in-person visitors from more than 100 countries, according to Isha Foundation. It put the streaming audience at about 140 million viewers.

Visitors who approached the Proto units could ask questions and receive responses presented as aligned with Sadhguru's teachings on yoga and meditation. The set-up also included a selfie function, allowing attendees to take a photo with the avatar and download the image.

AI Avatar

Isha framed the deployment as an extension of its use of digital tools for meditation. At the venue, Sadhguru was presented as a conversational AI character, with multi-language interaction highlighted as a key feature for an international audience.

"Our hope is that through this, we see more people taking up the simple, evidence-based yoga and meditation practices that Sadhguru is offering," said Henry Asplin, a representative of Isha Foundation.

"Mahashivratri is one of the largest multi-cultural events on the planet, and for us this is a way to connect further with this global audience and offer them a unique experience in their own language," Asplin said.

Isha also pointed to published research on the effects of Sadhguru's practices. It cited work from institutions including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre at Harvard Medical School, and said findings have included reduced stress markers and improved mental clarity. The organisation also referenced reports of signs associated with slower brain ageing.

Proto Rollout

Proto Hologram markets its systems as life-sized, interactive holographic communication. It positions the product for situations where remote interaction matters and where a sense of presence affects the exchange.

Proto says its technology is used across healthcare, education, finance, retail, sports and entertainment. It also says the systems are used in hospitals and at more than 50 universities, alongside deployments in other locations.

In recent months, Proto has highlighted projects and events including a breast cancer initiative in Ghana. It has also cited installations that let visitors interact with Serena Williams and Sanjay Gupta at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington in Washington, DC, as well as activity linked to the Super Bowl.

Proto described the Mahashivratri activation as the first time a spiritual leader has used its hologram technology. It said the approach differs from other remote communication tools because it creates a stronger feeling of shared space.

"When people step in front of Sadhguru in the Protos at Isha Yoga Centre, they had a genuine experience of his presence, from head to toe," said David Nussbaum, inventor and founder of Proto Hologram. "It's the same reason our technology is used by doctors having life-changing conversations with patients every day: when what people are talking about matters more than anything in the world, feeling like they are really together adds focus, trust, and real human connection."

Wider Strategy

Using an AI avatar at a large public gathering reflects a broader push to use generative AI to scale interactions that previously required a person's physical presence. The approach also raises questions about how audiences interpret answers generated in a leader's voice, and what controls govern content, language and intent.

Isha linked the hologram to a separate AI product, saying Sadhguru recently launched Miracle of Mind, a free AI-powered meditation app. It includes an "ask Sadhguru" feature that provides tailored guidance for users.

The foundation said the app recorded more than 1 million downloads in 15 hours after launch. It also said that pace exceeded early adoption rates for ChatGPT, TikTok and Instagram.

Proto and Isha have not disclosed the commercial terms of the Mahashivratri deployment or the data governance arrangements for the AI conversations at the event. Both organisations indicated the format is part of a broader move toward mediated, multilingual access to Sadhguru's content through new technology channels.