Prof Dr Sothy Khieng was invited to present at the 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations in Qufu, China – the birthplace of Confucius. 🏯

He proposed reframing AI ethics through Buddhist and Eastern moral traditions, advocating for “Humane AI” that actively reduces suffering (dukkha) (ទុក្ខ)​. Key insights:

🔹 Compassion (Karunā) (ករុណា)​ Efficiency: Embed empathy in algorithms, especially for healthcare, education, and social welfare.
🔹 Ahimsa in Tech (អហិង្សា)​: Design AI that avoids harm to people, societies, and ecosystems.
🔹 Confucian-Buddhist Synergy: Combine “rén” (benevolence) and mindfulness to prioritize collective well-being over profit-driven systems.

In this age of algorithmic bias and existential anxiety, Eastern ethics offer timeless tools: intention-aware design, karmic responsibility, and the Middle Path between utopia and doom.

Grateful to CamTech’s Center for Buddhist AI Ethics and fellow scholars for pioneering this dialogue.