84000 Presents: AI and Buddhism
The 84000.co organization, a globally recognized nonprofit dedicated to translating the Tibetan Buddhist Canon into English, is convening an intimate gathering to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and Buddhism. This event, hosted by 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha, aims to foster dialogue between AI practitioners from major large language model (LLM) companies and leading Buddhist scholars. The gathering will address the alignment of AI technologies with Buddhist principles, leveraging 84000’s expertise in preserving and disseminating the Buddha’s teachings and exploring how that can inform ethical AI development.
Founded under the vision of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, 84000 has been at the forefront of translating the Kangyur (70,000 pages of the Buddha’s words) and Tengyur (161,800 pages of commentaries) from Classical Tibetan into modern languages. With over $8.5 million in grants awarded to translation teams worldwide, 84000’s mission is to make these texts freely accessible, preserving a vital cultural and spiritual heritage. This gathering extends 84000’s commitment to bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary challenges, focusing on how AI can be developed in harmony with Buddhist values such as compassion, non-attachment, and mindfulness.
The event will convene AI experts from premier LLM companies—such as those advancing models like ChatGPT or Claude—alongside Buddhist scholars, including translators and academics affiliated with 84000’s network.
Key discussion topics will include ethical AI design inspired by Buddhist ethics, the role of mindfulness in mitigating AI biases, and the potential of AI to enhance the translation and dissemination of Buddhist texts.
Participants will explore how Buddhist principles can inform AI alignment, ensuring technologies promote human well-being rather than exacerbate suffering.
By uniting technologists and scholars, 84000’s gathering seeks to pioneer a model for ethical AI that reflects the Buddha’s teachings. We hope to inspire a global conversation on technology and spirituality, fostering a future where AI and wisdom traditions mutually enrich one another.