Date : May 16, 2025
The Future of AI and Buddhist Teachings (Dr. Seiji Kumagai, Vice Director and Professor, Institute for the Future of Human Society, Kyoto University)
post date : 2025.04.22
The number of Buddhists in Japan has been declining, and it has been suggested that approximately 30% of Buddhist temples will be gone by 2040. This trend is particularly strong in younger generations, and passing on religious values to the next generation is a challenge. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) has been developing rapidly and is being utilized in numerous fields. If AI could take advantage of Buddhist wisdom to respond to peoples’ concerns, it could lead to increased interest in religion. Could the fusion of Buddhism and AI create new value?
The FPCJ has invited Dr. Seiji Kumagai, a Buddhist priest and professor at the Kyoto University Institute for the Future of Human Society who has developed AI chatbots based on Buddhist scripture, to discuss AI and Buddhist teachings, the future of faith, and the possibilities of Buddhism.
.
Please note that you cannot physically attend this briefing, as it will be a Zoom webinar.
Embassy representatives and FPCJ supporting members may also participate in the briefing as observers (admission free).
■Date: May 16 (Fri.), 2025, 14:00-15:30 (Deadline for application: Noon, Thursday, May 15)
■Theme: The Future of AI and Buddhist Teachings
■Briefer: Dr. Seiji Kumagai, Vice Director and Professor, Institute for the Future of Human Society, Kyoto University
Brief Bio: Held positions as an Assistant Professor and Associate Professor at Kyoto University, before beginning at his current position in 2023. While conducting philological research on the philosophy and history of Buddhism in India, Tibet and Bhutan, he also developed “traditional wisdom technology” and “kokoro-tech” (technology related to the mind and spirit) to monitor and improve mental status by integrating biology, neuroscience, social science and the humanities.
■Language: Japanese, with consecutive English interpretation
As in our standard press briefings, there will be a Q&A session at the end.
*In principle, questions will only be accepted from members of the foreign press.
■Members of the Foreign Press:
Please send any questions for the briefer or topics you are interested in to cp@fpcjpn.or.jp by 12:00 on Friday, May 9.
As there will only be a limited amount of time to ask questions during the briefing, we will collect questions and provide them to the briefer in advance.
■How to Apply: Please refer to the email we sent.
*We will not be accepting applications by email.