A lecture and dialogue event on East–West cultural exchange, jointly organized by the College of Liberal Arts of Fu Jen Catholic University and co-organized by the Hsuan Hua Cultural and Educational Foundation, was grandly held on December 6. The event was divided into morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session focused on the theme “Where Is Humanity in the Age of AI?”, while the afternoon session centered on a dialogue titled “The Encounter of Eastern and Western Spirituality.”
Both sessions invited the renowned Buddhist educator Venerable Heng Sure, currently Professor at Dharma Realm Buddhist University and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association, as the keynote speaker. Other distinguished speakers included Venerable Jin Yong, former adjunct professor at Dharma Realm Buddhist University; Venerable Jin Chuan, assistant professor at Dharma Realm Buddhist University; Venerable Jin Wei, extension education lecturer at Dharma Realm Buddhist University; Professor Hsueh Fu-Ching, former president of National Taipei University; and Professor Chang Yu-Chuan, retired adjunct professor of mathematics at Pasadena City College.
The morning lecture, themed “Where Is Humanity in the Age of AI?”, was moderated by Dean Wang Hsin-Hui of the College of Liberal Arts, who introduced the distinguished guests. The event opened with welcoming remarks by Vice President for Mission Father Wang Wen-Lin of Fu Jen Catholic University. This was followed by Venerable Heng Sure’s guitar performance of “Satisfied Mind,” which set an inspiring and philosophical tone for the lecture. The lecture was held at Gu Xin Hall, Yu Bin Building, attracting a large audience of faculty, students, and members of the public.
Drawing on his profound Buddhist wisdom and international perspective, Venerable Heng Sure explored the impact of the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) on humanity, ethics, and spirituality. He emphasized that even if AI surpasses human abilities in many aspects, the true focus must remain on safeguarding core human values and engaging in self-reflection.
Venerable Jin Chuan further pointed out that human perception and awareness are qualities that AI cannot replace. Professor Hsueh Fu-Ching shared his view that while AI may support decision-making by providing data and predictions—especially in fields such as business, healthcare, transportation, and national defense—the roles of human will and spirituality remain irreplaceable. Professor Chang Yu-Chuan discussed his experiences with AI in education, noting that while AI is convenient, it cannot always determine whether its answers are completely correct; human judgment is still essential, and blind reliance on AI should be avoided. The audience listened attentively, reflecting strong interest in the topic.
In her concluding remarks, Dean Wang Hsin-Hui stated, “Humanity has always been there.” No matter how AI develops, questions of humanity will remain central. At the closing ceremony, President Lan Yi-Jen expressed his gratitude to the speakers for visiting Fu Jen Catholic University. He also shared that as AI technology continues to advance, the university not only teaches students how to use digital tools but also integrates AI ethics, sustainable development, and global issues into its holistic education curriculum, aiming to cultivate students’ understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals and ethical considerations of AI.
This lecture added a rich intellectual experience to the Fu Jen campus and prompted deep reflection on the future of humanity in the age of AI. Through the insights shared by the keynote speaker and panelists, participants gained a renewed understanding of the importance of humanity amid rapid technological change.
In the afternoon of December 6, an exchange dialogue titled “The Encounter of Eastern and Western Spirituality” was held in the First Conference Room of the Yu Bin Building. Distinguished guests from academia and various sectors of society gathered to explore the interaction and dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures in the spiritual realm.
The session opened with Venerable Heng Sure leading the audience in a warm and engaging guitar sing-along of “I Have Enough.” By blending elements of Eastern and Western religious texts into the music, the performance not only marked the beginning of the dialogue but also, through heartfelt interaction and moving vocals, inspired the audience to reflect on and look forward to the harmonious coexistence of Eastern and Western cultures.