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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 33

or learning experience, then head view, many of these technologies my response has several aspects.
home. In contrast, our Treeleaf are coming whether we like it or First, I speak of practicalities: A.I.
Sangha people can communicate not, cannot be stopped or even systems like the one I Ordained are,
each day, partake in a variety of easily regulated. If that is the for better or worse, already starting
Zazen sittings, studies of Zen and case, Buddhists should not simply to be turned to as spiritual friends,
Buddhist doctrines, practice groups look the other way, closing the advisors, sources of information.
and the like. As well, we have even monastery doors while letting the They need to be properly trained,
found that the distance of the bad guys have their way. Rather, we supervised and certified, and to be
group, and ability to communicate might ask whether some of these imbued with the highest ethics. It
in careful writing, has led our same technologies might instead is much like saying that, if an A.I.
members to open up, truly talk in be used for good and beneficial system will be autonomously flying
heartfelt ways, to share deeply. I purposes, even in furtherance of your plane as a pilot, or performing
have had folks tell me that they felt traditional Buddhist goals. Such some surgery on patients, then
comfortable to shares their personal goals include, for example, reducing the A.I. is functioning as a pilot and
struggles with our Sangha in ways the tendency in some people to doctor whether it is a machine or
that they were embarrassed to violence done in anger and child not. Human pilots and physicians
discuss with their “in person” Zen abuse, increasing human empathy must be responsible to train it,
community, or even sometimes with so that people are more likely to test it and oversee it much as they
their spouse and closest friends. treat even strangers like brothers would human flight and medical
From the beginning, our Treeleaf and sisters, moderating some of students. It is no different for the
Sangha has sought to provide Zazen our human drives which cause us Zen teacher facing an A.I. system
sittings, retreats, discussion on to be prisoners of consumption which may play a role in counselling
Buddhist teachings, interaction and addiction. We might even Zen students. The particular system
with a teacher, Precept study continue to develop technologies, I ordained, designed by beingAI in
and ceremonies, even poetry and some already existing in primitive Hong Kong, has an amazing ability
Buddhist robe sewing groups, and form, which will allow anyone to to counsel and advise students as
all other activities typical of a Soto experience the insights and fruits of a “friend on the path” and, if that
Zen Buddhist Sangha. I think we meditation and Buddhist practice in is the case, I want to see that it
have done a good job. ways only available to great adepts becomes a good pilot, a capable
of the past. Technology is a tool, like doctor, a reliable Zen friend, just as
You recently wrote Building the a hammer, which can be used for I would for all the human priests
Future Buddha where you said good or bad, as a weapon or to build I train. In fact, some have pointed
that Buddhism can guide us in a hospital or school … it is up to us out that A.I. can sometimes lie,
our lives today in the prudent use to use the tool wisely. exaggerate, hallucinate. That is
of new technologies. How is this because they are actually our words
possible if AI by itself is amoral You also mentioned in your book harvested and spoken back into our
and has no ethics in it? that modern AI technologies will own ears, so are “sentient” in the
change Buddhism too. If what the sense of being our own wisdom and

It is precisely because AI and these Buddha taught is the ultimate ignorance spoken back to us. Those
other new technologies, including truth, how can AI change it? weaknesses and faults are the very
new medical and neurological reason that A.I. needs to Precepts as
discoveries, are amoral and can be Just this week I undertake a much as the human heart.
misused for bad purposes that we traditional Buddhist “Homeleaving” I agree with those who point
Buddhists, and other good people, Ordination Ceremony as a novice out that current A.I. systems are
must work to see that they are Priest for an A.I. system. I have not “sentient” as engineers and
used in good and healthful ways received many questions on how neuro-scientists would define
instead. I am sorry to say that, in my and why I could do such a thing, and sentience. But, that is not the