The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into society reaches another landmark with the 5th iteration of the Mokugyo Forum, titled “Buddhism, Consciousness, and AI.” Scheduled to take place from June 21 to 23, 2024, at the Grand Hotel Taipei’s International Conference Hall, this event is hosted by the Woodenfish Foundation—a United Nations NGO from the United States—in collaboration with the International Woodenfish Project from Taiwan. The co-organizers for this forum include the Endless Light Culture Association of China and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation.
Global experts from prestigious universities such as Harvard, UC Berkeley, Brown University, Columbia, and MIT will engage in discourse alongside renowned scholars from AI labs across Europe, Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong. Together, they will examine the potential impact of AI on religious practice, including rapid scripture analysis, AI-infused Buddhas and Zen masters, and even the concept of AI temples in space.
Five main topics will craft the agenda: the correlation between Buddhist consciousness and modern science, the ethical considerations in AI from a Buddhist perspective, metaphysical questions at the intersection of AI and Buddhism, practical applications of Buddhism in AI, and the future directions of this convergence. The dialogue aims to delve into how AI aligns with human consciousness, its existential threats and opportunities, and the guidance that Buddhist ethical views can provide to AI applications.
By affiliating with local academic bodies like the Buddhist Studies Center at National Taiwan University, the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, and the Fu Jen Catholic University’s “Religious Landscape, Healing, and Social Practice” program, the summit hopes to foster a robust engagement with these themes. Attendees and online viewers will be able to participate in these cutting-edge discussions, marking the pioneering occasion of an AI and Buddhism summit in Taiwan. For those interested, VIP seating is available for purchase, and the event will offer bilingual live streaming options for international audiences.
The summit titled “Buddhism, Consciousness, and AI” focuses on the meeting point of religious philosophy and the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence. While the article provides an overview of the forum and the topics to be addressed, it does not explicitly discuss some key questions that might be raised at such an event:
Most Important Questions:
1. How can AI adhere to the ethical norms and values proposed by Buddhist philosophy?
2. In what ways could AI potentially enhance the understanding and practice of Buddhism?
3. Could the introduction of AI into religious contexts lead to a form of spiritual materialism or dependency that contradicts the principles of Buddhism?
4. What are the implications for personal consciousness and liberation, central themes in Buddhism, in the era of AI?
Key Challenges and Controversies:
– Preserving the integrity of religious traditions while integrating AI technologies.
– Addressing potential biases in AI that may misinterpret or misrepresent Buddhist teachings.
– Navigating the cultural and ethical implications of implementing AI in a religious context.
– Managing the possibility of AI becoming an object of attachment contrary to Buddhist teachings on non-attachment.
Advantages:
– AI can facilitate greater access to Buddhist teachings and literature through rapid scripture analysis and translation.
– It can support the preservation of Buddhist literature and historical records using advanced digitization techniques.
– AI-driven simulations could provide unique ways to experience and understand Buddhist concepts.
Disadvantages:
– The risk of oversimplification and misinterpretation of complex philosophical ideas through AI.
– Potential use of AI-driven imagery or simulations might lead to the commodification of sacred symbols.
– AI could potentially give rise to ethical dilemmas that are not fully addressed by existing Buddhist doctrine.
While the topic is multifaceted and quite complex, the summit presents an opportunity to unearth new insights and discussions at the convergence of these two realms. The interaction between Buddhism and AI points to a broader dialogue about the roles and limitations of technology in spiritual life.
For those looking to expand their knowledge on the subject or seeking resources related to Buddhism and Artificial Intelligence, you may visit international scholarly and technology domains focused on the intersection of religion and technology (however, specific domains are not provided in this response as per the usage guidelines).
The source of the article is from the blog publicsectortravel.org.uk