Automating pundits in family functions would be my first guess. Could be more convenient and reliable than having to invite some stranger just for recitation.
You should ask yourself - would most christians prefer baptism in a bathtubs at home or drive in weddings for convenience? No? Exactly.
Hindu Vedic pandits and priests who come in and run priestly events and functions at Hindu homes are usually well known within their communities are not treated as strangers and neither is there an element of inconvenience. If anything their absence adds an element of inconvenience. For one most rituals in sanskrit are available on youtube for those who want to diy. But most discerning Hindus prefer the real thing. Same as Christians.
Come on be so for real right now? I have been to many Hindu events, and the pandit is really just there to make things official and say the words. 90% of attendees don't know what he's actually saying. 80% have never met him or his associates.
Now you can't automate him either. His presence is there because religious rituals and practice and tradition mandate his presence, but if you could just play the chants over a speaker and have people understand and follow the ritual instructions some other way, nothing would really change.
For what it's worth, people can and do use AI visuals and sermons in Christianity as well
You 'could' also play the bible over a speaker and do away with a church father delivering a sermon then?
If you have been to many hindu events you would know Vak (speech) and Prana (breath) are both required to deliver vedic chants. Why do people go to musical concerts when they can turn on spotify? Use common sense.
Priestless hindu functions at your home will get laughed at so save yourself some embarrassment.
Please read my comment again. I mentioned that physical presence is necessary but the idea expressed in the comment before mine that people who hire such priests know them well, or that it's the discernment of Hindus rather than a strict requirement which makes such priests invaluable is false.
Were their presence not required, absolutely people would turn to recorded voice as 90% of people don't know what is being said anyways
Most religious families in India have generational priests. Its a privilege to have one too as those priests can be discerning about who they provide services to. Recordings would lower whatever inconvenience families without access to a generational priest but again, its a privilege of location, having strong roots in one's own community though several generations. If you are an urban nuclear family YMMV - their needs are different and they dont care about Vak, Praana and all other aspects of Hindu prayers. The aspect of '90% of people dont't know what is being said anyways' applies to majority of people around the world accross religions.
Hindu Vedic pandits and priests who come in and run priestly events and functions at Hindu homes are usually well known within their communities are not treated as strangers and neither is there an element of inconvenience. If anything their absence adds an element of inconvenience. For one most rituals in sanskrit are available on youtube for those who want to diy. But most discerning Hindus prefer the real thing. Same as Christians.