Will Your Smartphone Decide How Human You Are? Kailash Satyarthi’s Futuristic Vision at JLF 2026

Jaipur | Jaipur Literature Festival 2026

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi sparked an intense debate on technology, ethics, and humanity during his address at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF 2026) on Saturday. Presenting a strikingly futuristic idea, Satyarthi predicted the arrival of a “Compassion Measuring App”—a digital tool that could one day assess the level of empathy and sensitivity within an individual.

A Digital Meter for Compassion

Satyarthi warned that humanity is moving towards a digital age where even emotions may be quantified as data. According to him, the proposed app would be capable of scanning and revealing how much genuine compassion a person holds for others.
“This will not just be a technological innovation,” he said, “but a digital mirror reflecting the decline or strength of our human values.”

Compassion Beyond Humans

Expanding the scope of empathy, Satyarthi referred to the ongoing Supreme Court hearings on stray dogs, arguing that compassion must not remain limited to human beings alone.
“True compassion includes all living beings,” he emphasized, calling for a more sensitive and inclusive approach towards animals and the voiceless.

The Idea of a ‘Compassion Judiciary’

Taking the discussion further, Satyarthi introduced the concept of a “Compassion Judiciary”, stressing that today’s world urgently needs compassionate leadership—not only in social movements, but also across politics, media, and the corporate sector.
He argued that governance and power structures devoid of empathy are one of the key reasons behind growing global unrest and inequality.

Bangladesh Crisis: A Bigger Conspiracy?

On international affairs, Satyarthi made a strong statement regarding the current crisis in Bangladesh. Rejecting the narrative that the turmoil is merely an internal uprising, he claimed that external forces are actively influencing the situation.
“What is happening in Bangladesh is not about one individual alone,” he said. “It is dangerous for the country’s society and economy. We cannot leave everything to Yunus alone.”

A Call for Human-Centric Technology

Satyarthi’s address stood out as a powerful reminder that technology without compassion can deepen social fractures. His vision urged policymakers, technologists, and citizens alike to ensure that the future remains human-centric, where progress is guided not just by innovation, but by empathy and moral responsibility.