Zhichenkhar Talk Series Initiative on Artificial Intelligence and Practical Views on Emotions and Mind Training

Buddhism in Conversation on Contemporary Challenges

A Virtual Seminar Series organised by

the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies, Zhichenkar

with the International Society of Bhutan Studies

At this critical juncture, it would be important to reflect on and understand the timeless values and intuitive attributes of our ancestors that enabled them to achieve phenomenal success. Firstly, it is the values emanating from Tha Damtsi, the sublime trust and bond among the unique concept of the Tsa Wa Sum. Secondly, it is Dremba, the innate sensibility of the Bhutanese, which has contributed greatly to our achievements as a nation. Thirdly, it is the concept of Tendrel, which transcends our common understanding of auspiciousness to also include interdependence and collective efforts to meet our goals and aspirations.

His Majesty the King’s Royal Address at the 14th RUB Convocation

Inspired by the Royal Kasho on Civil Service Reform and building on past Vajrayana conferences, the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies is hosting an international seminar series on new junctures between Buddhism, Society and Business. Likely Topics include:

Unwinding Anxiety                                           Neurocircuitry                                                      Positive Emotions

Buddhism and the West 2.0                          Conscious Leadership                                        Beyond Mindfulness

Meditation Preliminaries                                Teaching Values in Schools                               ‘Inner’ MBA

 

Friday 30 April 8am:  Professor Richard Davidson

Dr. Davidson’s research is broadly focused on the neural bases of emotion and emotional style as well as methods to promote human flourishing, including meditation and related contemplative practices. He has observed expert meditation practitioners using a wide range of methods including MRI, positron emission tomography, electroencephalography and modern genetic and epigenetic methods. As the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry and Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he has published more than 375 articles and 80 chapters/reviews as well as edited 14 books. Yet he speaks clearly and powerfully. Watch his Ted Talk on how Mindfulness changes the emotional life of our brains.

 

Friday 23 April, 4pm (note different time): Professor Judson Brewer Unwinding Anxiety

Dr Brewer is the Director of Research and Innovation at Brown University’s Mindfulness Center and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical School. His work brings together basic and translational neuroscience with the development of consumer and clinical training tools to improve health (see his Ted talk). In this talk he will present his new book Unwinding Anxiety. The book draws on laboratory studies using multiple modes, including linking theoretical models to behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of action using experience sampling (aka ecological momentary assessment), EEG (e.g. source-estimated EEG neurofeedback), and fMRI methodologies. But it is set out in as an app-based delivery of mindfulness training in real-world settings. An apt topic for the year of the pandemic.

The updated seminar list will be circulated shortly; other confirmed speakers include:

• Professor Barbara Frederickson, is a leading scholar within social psychology, affective science, and positive psychology. Her 2009 book, Positivity, describes the relevance of 20 years of research on positive emotions for a general readership. Her 2013 book, Love 2.0, offers a fresh and practical perspective on this most vital human emotion. She teaches in Psychology and the School of Business of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Tami Simon Founder & CEO of Sounds True has interviewed leaders from many wisdom traditions weekly for over 30 years. She now also hosts The Inner MBA, A nine-month immersion program to train leaders, entrepreneurs, managers, and employees on how to powerfully grow themselves and their companies. Tami shares how the Inner MBA is a way that serious wisdom teachers and successful business leaders are collaborating to re-fashion models of business from within.

The use of artificial intelligence and innovative solutions to support ethical and good governance

A Virtual Seminar Series organised by

the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies, Zhichenkar

with the International Society of Bhutan Studies

Our future will become invariably inter-woven with regional and global developments as well as the fusion of ideas, innovations, and technologies, which are taking place at a very fast pace. Both the site and space of the future is becoming globalised. Our people’s sense of identity and belonging to national community will therefore, matter even more to enable them to navigate through the complexity and sophistication of the future.

His Majesty’s Royal Kasho on Civil Service Reform, 2020.

Inspired by the Royal Kasho on Civil Service Reform and His Majesty’s National Day and Convocation Speeches, the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies is hosting a seminar series on the positive roles that technology and artificial intelligence may play in advancing topics relevant to Bhutan. Speakers include senior policy makers and prominent academics on topics such as the following:

Digitalisation of Civil Service                                       Telemedicine                                                  Agriculture

Forestry                                                                               Cybersecurity                                                Biometrics

Water                                                                                    Traffic                                                               Tourism

Thursday 15 April 2pm:  The Role of Digital Technologies in Automating Civil Service Procedures

H.E. Professor Bambang Brodjonegoro, the Republic of Indonesia’s Minister of Research and Technology, and Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency will open this series. Minister Brodjonegoro will share his experience in implementing Civil-Service Digital-Portals in Indonesia, which aim, like Digital Drukyul, to increase the efficiency of government services through the use of AI and technological tools.

Thursday 22 April, 2pm: AI Solutions to Urban and Cyber Security Challenges

Dr Yudhistira Nugraha, Director of the Jakarta Smart City Programme, of the Provincial Government of Jakarta, heads Indonesia’s foremost urban-digital technology centre, which supports the government in the management, tracking and mitigation of challenges faced by urban societies, such as the issues of pollution, traffic, and cyber security. Within his talk, Dr Nugraha aims to share his experience and learn from Bhutanese experts on the use of AI solutions to support green and ethical governance within urban areas.

The updated seminar list will be circulated shortly; other confirmed speakers include:

• Professor Andrew Farmer (Oxford University Department of Primary Care) on digital solutions for affordable healthcare (phone apps and text messaging services to support treatment);
• Professor Vikram Adve (Professor of Computer Science at the University of Illinois – Urbana Champagne, Co-Director of the Centre for Digital Architecture) on supercomputer applications to solutions for food security and agriculture;
• Minister Maria Ohisalo (Minister of the Interior of Finland) on AI solutions to increase the efficiency of civil services;
• Minister Sandiaga Uno (Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia) on digital solutions to support eco-tourism.