BIG NEWS! I'm Presenting at the "Buddhism, Consciousness and AI" Conference in Taiwan

[Jundo]

Dear All, I am pleased to say that I have been invited to Taiwan as a guest of the "Woodenfish Forum on Buddhism, Science & the Future," headed by the wonderful priest and scholar Ven. Yifa, to present and join panel discussions at a conference they are organizing on "Buddhism, Consciousness and AI." The conference will be held June 21st thru June 23rd.

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Someone at the foundation apparently seems to have liked my recent book, BUILDING the FUTURE BUDDHA: The Zen of AI, Genes, Saving the World, and Travel to the Stars (https://futurebuddhabook.com/). I will be presenting either on the topic of Buddhism, Tech and Ethics or Ai and Enlightenment.

Woodenfish Foundation, a United Nations NGO, previously explored topics such as Buddhism and robotics, neuroscience, life sciences, and the era of AI in Shanghai (2017), Shenzhen (2018), and Seattle and Shenzhen (2019). This year's theme delves deeper into Buddhist consciousness and modern science, the ethics of AI in Buddhism, the metaphysics of AI and Buddhism, applications of AI in Buddhism, and the future of AI and Buddhism.

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It is quite intimidating, as some personal heroes such as Professors Robert Sharf and Bernard Faure, as well as Pat Pataranutaporn of the Media Lab at MIT, Jeanne Lim, the former CEO of Hanson Robotics, and Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, the Co-Abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center and the developer of the "Roshibot AI" will also be attending. Now, I just have to consider what I am going to say!

In any case, a wonderful aspect of our Sangha is that you can all come with me to Taiwan next month! Only I need to pack.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Shinshi]

Wow, that is fantastic news Jundo. Congratulations!!!!

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Bion]

Dear All, I am pleased to say that I have been invited to Taiwan as a guest of the "Woodenfish Forum on Buddhism, Science & the Future," headed by the wonderful priest and scholar Ven. Yifa, to present and join panel discussions at a conference they are organizing on "Buddhism, Consciousness and AI." The conference will be held June 21st thru June 23rd.

tsuku.jpg

Someone at the foundation apparently seems to have liked my recent book, BUILDING the FUTURE BUDDHA: The Zen of AI, Genes, Saving the World, and Travel to the Stars (https://futurebuddhabook.com/). I will be presenting either on the topic of Buddhism, Tech and Ethics or Ai and Enlightenment.

tsuku1.jpgtsuku2.jpgtsuku4.jpg
tsuku5.jpgtsuku3.jpg

It is quite intimidating, as some personal heroes such as Professors Robert Sharf and Bernard Faure, as well as Pat Pataranutaporn of the Media Lab at MIT, Jeanne Lim, the former CEO of Hanson Robotics, and Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, the Co-Abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center and the developer of the "Roshibot AI" will also be attending. Now, I just have to consider what I am going to say!

In any case, a wonderful aspect of our Sangha is that you can all come with me to Taiwan next month! Only I need to pack.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

Whaaaaaaaaat? Look at you!!! Oh, that’s wonderful!!!!!

gassho
sat and lah

[Daiman]

Wonderful news. I think they have to take you seriously now.

Gassho,
Daiman
St/LAH

[Jundo]

Wonderful news. I think they have to take you seriously now.

Gassho,
Daiman
St/LAH

Well, there is always a first time.

[Daiman]

Well, I always take you seriously, except for when I don't. :-)

[Kotei]

Exciting news!
Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Shonin Risa Bear]

gassho
sat/lah

[Seiga]

A very nice opportunity. I am happy for you!

gasshō
seiga
satlah

[Hōzan]

Congratulations! Hope we can listen in or get access to a recording!

Gassho, Hōzan
Satlah

[Huichan]

Just across the straits from me


慧禅
stlah

[Tairin]

Congratulations Jundo.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Nengei]

A wonderful, well-deserved opportunity. Congratulations.

Gassho,
Nengei
Sat today. LAH.

[Kaitan]

Wonderful, Jundo, I'm very happy for you!

Gasshō

stlah, Kaitan

[Jundo]

The sponsors asked for my title and an abstract of the theme of my talk, so I sent this. It matches the theme of much of my book:

~~~

TITLE: BUILDING the FUTURE BUDDHA: Calling All 'White Hat' Researchers

Proposed Theme:

A.I. will not be used in isolation, but will be combined with other coming developments in biology, medicine, neuroscience, genetics, nanotechnology, advanced chemistry, new media and virtual reality. The potential for misuse of these powerful technologies if in the wrong hands is great, including by militarists to develop new weapons and super-soldiers, dictators to control populations, industrialists to make more and sell more, much of which we do not truly need. If these new technologies cannot be stopped (I think it impossible) then we cannot simply ignore the dangers.

Thus, good-guy "White Hat" scientists and engineers, many of them Buddhist taking the lead, must now begin to work on safe, healthy, positive uses for these new technological powers. If employed well, A.I. driven technology and medicine can help bring true peace both in society and to the human heart, an end to most wars and violence committed in anger, cures for diseases, ecological balance, greater love and empathy among people and for all beings, increased charity, remedies for poverty and homelessness, and the attainment of other goals for good in the world as long dreamed of by Buddhists and caring people of many religions and philosophies. Furthermore, such changes can be introduced ethically, voluntarily, if people experience health, pleasure and peace as a result. At the same time, many of Buddhism’s most fabulous ideals, including experiences of liberation, will be more readily attainable almost at the push of a button.

Buddhism, including Zen, has another important role: To remind human beings not to over-rely upon A.I., to step back from our machines and digital devices, returning to the simple and old-fashioned ways, the slow ways, because they are beautiful ways. In the rush for improvement, let us moderate the quest for constant upgrades and efficiency, restrain the endless hunger for progress. "Progress" is not always progress.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gassho, J

stlah

[Washin]

Great news

Gassho
Washin
st/lah