Confucianism Meets AI: Scholars Redefine Modern Culture at Nishan Forum
The 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations kicked off on Wednesday in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius in east China’s Shandong Province. Scholars from around the world gathered to explore how ancient philosophies like Confucianism can address modern challenges, from artificial intelligence to sustainable development.
Bridging Tradition and Modernity
Riccardo Pozzo, a professor of history of philosophy at Tor Vergata University of Rome, highlighted the relevance of Confucianism in today’s world. “We can draw on tradition to propose ways to ensure the sustainable development of humanity in the 21st century,” Pozzo said, emphasizing the importance of tackling the challenges of green and digital transformations.
He noted that the Chinese mainland’s current prosperity allows more people to experience traditional thought and culture in innovative ways. “Confucianism provides valuable solutions to bridge traditional and modern issues and address contemporary problems,” he added.
AI and Human Creativity
At a panel titled “Ren and Li: Confucian Ethics for Global Governance,” Steve Fuller, a fellow at the UK Academy of Social Sciences, challenged common fears about artificial intelligence. “AI does not rob humanity of its creativity,” Fuller asserted. Instead, he believes human creativity lies in reimagining existing expressions in new forms.
“AI integrates human-created wisdom in novel ways, producing combinations of expression never seen before,” Fuller explained. This interplay between AI and human ingenuity can lead to unprecedented advancements.
Universal Values for a Modern World
Kim Sung-kee, honorary professor at Sungkyunkwan University, discussed the global applicability of Confucian values. “Confucian values are capable of serving as universal values for people in the 21st century,” Kim said. He pointed out that their views on nature, the universe, and humanity align with the ethical value systems of postmodern life.
Growing Interest in Confucianism
The influence of Confucianism is also spreading across the Global South. Salome Nyambura, director of the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University in Kenya, observed that close people-to-people exchanges between China and Kenya have sparked increased interest in Confucianism among Kenyans.
With more Chinese enterprises entering Kenya, there’s a growing need for locals to learn the Chinese language for business and employment opportunities. “A large number of people in Kenya have taken an interest in learning Chinese over the past five years,” Nyambura noted.
