Pema Düddul
December 5, 2023

In the historic backdrop of Padova, Italy, from November 17th to 19th, a unique and intellectually stimulating event unfolded—the "Buddhist Perspectives on Consciousness, Evolution, and AI" conference, hosted by the Italian Buddhist Union (UBI). 

Among the distinguished attendees was Venerable Dr Juewei, of the Humanistic Buddhism Centre in Australia. Venerable Juewei’s presence at the conference added a spiritual dimension to the discussion of consciousness, ethics, and artificial intelligence, bridging the wisdom of Humanistic Buddhism with contemporary challenges. This project was led by Dr Peter Hershock who helped to launch Hawaii’s East-West Centre’s Humane Artificial Intelligence initiative. 

Italian Buddhist Union held the "Buddhist Perspectives on Consciousness, Evolution, and AI" conference. photo／FGS Nan Tien Temple

The project coordinators, Dr Chiara Mascarello and Dr Francesco Tormen, were from the University of Padova, one of Europe’s oldest seats of learning. Dr Hershock invited thirteen international academics and experts from a diverse range of disciplines, backgrounds and research interests to present on the theme.

Venerable Juewei described it as an opportunity for her to meet several well-published scholars in the fields of Buddhist ethics and Buddhist philosophy as well as raise awareness of Humanistic Buddhism.

The intersection of Buddhism and artificial intelligence was a key theme of the conference. As technology advances at an unprecedented pace, questions about the potential consciousness of AI entities and their ethical implications have become increasingly relevant. Venerable Juewei's perspective on this matter was grounded in both compassion and caution.

Attendees were encouraged to explore the potential synergies between modern science and ancient Buddhist wisdom, recognizing that both have valuable insights to offer in our quest to understand consciousness, both artificial and human. The conference provided a platform for open dialogue between scientists, philosophers, and spiritual leaders. Venerable Juewei's presence facilitated the bridging of gaps between these diverse perspectives.

The symposium started with one day of public presentations organised in panel sessions or “roundtables”. All interested participants had to submit a resume and a statement of why they wanted to attend. There were about 50 outside attendees in spite of a major train strike that day. Many of the attendees were postgraduate students. The following two days were closed door discussions: the first of these days furthered the discussions on the first day with breakout sessions and plenaries while the second day focused on the ways to shape the outputs of this Symposium. Not only were the discussions collegial but they were also held in the spirit of collaboration. In this spirit of collaboration, the presenters all agreed to work on developing a book on the same theme.

Venerable Juewei presented her conception of MettāVerses. photo／FGS Nan Tien Temple

One of the most memorable moments of the conference was the third roundtable in which Venerable Juewei presented her conception of MettāVerses. This roundtable was more practical than philosophical. In this panel discussion Venerable Juewei engaged in a thoughtful exchange with prominent scientists and AI experts as well as the attending audience. The dialogue showcased the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex questions about consciousness, ethics and AI. Venerable Juewei's ability to seamlessly integrate Buddhist teachings into the conversation deepened the discussion significantly.

Venerable Juewei took a photo in front of UBI's building. photo／FGS Nan Tien Temple

Venerable Juewei's trip to the "Buddhist Perspectives on Consciousness, Evolution, and AI" conference in Padova, Italy, was a testament to the power of bringing together diverse perspectives in the pursuit of wisdom and understanding. The presenters’ knowledge of Buddhist philosophy and their ability to connect it with contemporary challenges made a profound impact on attendees. The Symposium served as a reminder that in our quest to unravel the mysteries of consciousness and navigate the complexities of AI, the wisdom of the past can illuminate the path forward. Venerable Juewei's presence ensured that Humanistic Buddhism will be a part of the discourse.