Buddhist Perspectives on Consciousness, Evolution, and AI
International Symposium – Villa Selvatico, Padua | 17–19 November 2023

The international symposium Buddhist Perspectives on Consciousness, Evolution, and AI took place at Villa Selvatico (Padua) on 17 November 2023, with two days of closed-door sessions following the public opening. The event brought together thirteen international experts from diverse fields—philosophy, cognitive science, Buddhist studies, ethics, and artificial intelligence—to explore possible interactions between the Buddhist contemplative tradition, evolution, and technological transformation.

The symposium offered an interdisciplinary and creative approach to the major challenges posed by contemporary scientific and digital development, focusing on three main themes:

Consciousness and Ethics: Starting from a Buddhist perspective, the discussions emphasized the importance of approaches to consciousness that go beyond objective description, considering its ethical and transformative implications.

Evolution and Possible Futures: Evolutionary scenarios were discussed that integrate an interdependent view of the relationship among living beings, cultures, and environments—whether physical or digital.

Digital Technologies and AI: The impact of intelligent systems on society was analyzed, highlighting the need for ethical, mindful, and relational development of emerging technologies.

The event was held at Villa Selvatico, a historic Venetian residence located in the Euganean Hills Regional Park, offering a particularly inspiring setting for dialogue between ancient wisdom and future scenarios.

Participants
Project Coordinator:
Peter D. Hershock – East-West Center (Director of the Asian Studies Development Program; Coordinator of the Humane AI Initiative)

Speakers:
Martin T. Adam, Gunter Bombaerts, Charles A. Goodman, Soraj Hongladarom, James J. Hughes, Jenny Hung, Shi Juewei, Jeanne Lim, Chiara Mascarello, Beverley F. McGuire, Stuart R. Sarbacker, Francesco Tormen

Project Phases
Following the public event on 17 November, the symposium continued with two closed-door working days (18–19 November), during which the expert group deepened the discussion and initiated a collaborative reflection process.

The project will conclude with a collective publication (Ubiliber edition) and the production of a documentary based on the materials generated during the symposium.