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Groundwork being laid for research on Buddhism and Artificial Intelligence
Local and foreign experts will soon deliberate on the possibility of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to spread Theravada Buddhism globally.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has asked the Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) to carry out research on Buddhist philosophy and AI and how to promote Buddhist teachings through AI.
Research will look into aspects such as similarities and dissimilarities between the two subjects and how Buddhist philosophical aspects such as mindfulness could be promoted via AI.
The project’s coordinator, Prof. Sarath Chandrasekara, said the research would also look into Buddhist philosophy and spiritual teachings that could be used to develop AI. He heads the Department of Academic Affairs and Postgraduate Studies.
He said that 25 local experts on AI and another 25 local experts on Buddhist affairs would be invited to a conference at the SIBA campus in Pallekele. Future research on Buddhist philosophy and artificial intelligence will be discussed.
Prof. Chandarasekara said a few foreign experts could be invited to join via Zoom.
He said that at the end of last year, an online webinar was held via Zoom on AI and Buddhist philosophy with the participation of foreign experts from countries such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, as well as academics from Peradeniya, Moratuwa, Kelaniya, Jaffna, and the SIBA campus.
The webinar was an orientation.
He said the upcoming conference would also help to gather more ideas from experts in Buddhist philosophy and artificial intelligence, lay the foundation to create the project proposal, and begin future phases of the research.
Following the President’s requests, the Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry wrote to Pradeep Nilanga Dela, the Diyawadana Nilame of the Dalada Maligawa, last year, stating that at a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat, the President had asked the SIBA Campus, which comes under the Maligawa, to carry out a research on artificial intelligence and Buddhist philosophy.
On the instructions of the Diyawadana Nilame, the Campus Rector of Dr. Upali Sedere held initial discussions, introduced a work plan, and appointed a committee of eight last year. Apart from the rector, the experts include the Ven. Dr. Polgolle Kusaladamma Thera, the Ven. Viharagala Pangnanayaloka Thera, and Bhagaya Thilakaratne.
A senior Buddhasasana Ministry official said the research, apart from spreading Buddhist teachings through artificial intelligence, was also aimed at promoting Buddhist teachings and drawing tourists.
“There are expectations that mindfulness can help attract tourists. There are also plans to provide a spiritual experience to visitors through meditation,” he said.
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