The bigger story
Why the race to build AI is happening: its ideological roots, the key players in the US, China, and Europe, the money and geopolitics behind it, and what people inside the industry are worried about.
- When
- Mondays, Nov 16 – Dec 14
11am – 12:30pm Pacific - Format
- Live on Zoom, 90 minutes a week
All sessions recorded - Cost
- Freely offered
A small-group seminar that brings Buddhist thought and practice to the topic of AI. Build a shared understanding of AI’s technical, social, and ethical sides, so you can lead conversations about it in your community and beyond. No technical background needed.
What you’ll leave with
Understanding, perspective, and connection
A clear picture of the technology
How large language models and AI agents work, explained in plain language, along with the human labor behind them.
A Buddhist lens
Karma, dependent origination, and non-self as ways to make sense of AI, and how a Buddhist view compares with other traditions, including the worldview of Silicon Valley itself.
A vision and a way forward
A picture of a future worth working toward, and your own first commitments to a right relationship with AI, worked through with peers in a similar role.
The five weeks
From understanding AI to charting an intentional path forward for ourselves and our communities
Each week builds on the last. We start with the story and the technology, turn to Buddhist philosophy, and end with vision and commitment.
- 01Mon, Nov 16
Introductions & Sensemaking
Why care about AI?
We meet our pods and look at the social history of the race to build AI: the ideological roots of the AGI movement, the key players in the US, China, and Europe, the money and geopolitics driving it, and what people inside the industry are worried about.
- 02Mon, Nov 23
Technicals
What is AI?
A crash course on how AI works, focused on large language models, the human labor behind them, and recent advances in AI agents.
- 03Mon, Nov 30
Philosophy
How does Buddhist philosophy help us make sense of AI?
We look at AI through karma, dependent origination, non-self, and other frames, and consider how a Buddhist view compares with other traditions, including the worldview of Silicon Valley itself.
- 04Mon, Dec 7
Positive Vision
What future is worth working toward?
We imagine good outcomes for human–AI relations and the paths that could lead to them, and survey the work already underway at the intersection of Buddhism and AI.
- 05Mon, Dec 14
Right Relation
What will we commit to?
Each participant develops provisional commitments to a right relationship with AI, covering view and intention, work and livelihood, practice, and speech. Pods then explore what these commitments mean for their communities.
From past participants
What others have said
“As a Buddhist monastic, I feel it is important to understand how AI is shaping our world so that we can help people navigate it wisely. The course by the Buddhism & AI Initiative was extremely helpful in this. It clarified what this technology really is, which challenges lie ahead, and how to approach them with Buddhist wisdom. I would warmly recommend it to anyone in the Buddhist community.”
Ven. VimalaBhikkhunī “The Buddhism and AI Seminar opened up my eyes — and my heart — to the moment of history we are in and the community I am in it with! It was invaluable to talk with other Buddhist leaders about the philosophical, spiritual, and practical implications of AI in a nuanced, balanced way, grounded in practice. I left with insight, hope, and a sense of camaraderie with a rich network of wonderful colleagues!”
Sarah GiffinExecutive Director, Mountain Cloud Zen Center “This five-week class gave me an excellent overview of the intersection of Buddhism and Artificial Intelligence. After starting with a general introduction to AI history, LLM technology, and key societal perspectives, we moved on to a discussion of Buddhism-related issues — the nature of “self” and AI; attention and intention; AI as a karmic amplifier; and LLM alignment with Buddhist views on compassion and wisdom. I now feel better equipped to involve my sangha in discussions of these issues, and the course’s detailed resource list is already shaping a dharma talk and workshop I’m planning. While I still sit with the tension between AI’s promise and risks, I appreciate knowing I’m exploring them alongside a thoughtful community.”
Randy WedinScience writer and lay teacher, Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
Who it’s for
For people who lead, teach, and practice
The seminar is designed for:
- Leaders of sanghas, nonprofits, schools, and other organizations
- Dharma and meditation teachers
- Educators and academics
- Practitioners exploring AI through their own practice and understanding
You don’t need to use AI (or like it) to participate in this seminar.
Who teaches it
The Buddhism & AI Initiative team
Taught by the Initiative’s co-founders, who bring together decades of Buddhist practice and scholarship with years of work inside the AI field.
- Alex Sarkissian
- Chris Scammell
- Ryan Stagg
- Peter Hershock
Questions
Common questions
Do I need a technical background?
No. Everything is explained in plain language. If you want more depth, optional readings go further.
Do I need to use AI?
No. Choosing not to use AI is a valid path, and it is part of the conversation.
What if I can’t attend live?
Full-group sessions are recorded and shared with everyone registered. Many past participants have only engaged with the material by watching the recordings.
How are pods formed?
We use your registration answers to place you with 4–5 people in a similar role, such as teachers, organizational leaders, or practitioners. Your pod stays together for all five weeks, and you’ll gather with it in every session to discuss the material.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. The seminar is freely offered.
Can you offer this to my sangha or organization?
Yes. We also lead workshops and custom courses for communities. See workshops →
Next cohort · Mondays, Nov 16 – Dec 14
Register for the seminar
Five Mondays, live on Zoom from 11am to 12:30pm Pacific.