Japanese Researchers Unveil Ai Robot Monk For Spiritual Guidance

In a groundbreaking development, Japanese researchers from the University of Kyoto have unveiled an AI-powered robot monk named 'Buddharoid', designed to dispense spiritual advice and potentially alleviate shortages of human monks. The robot, which is equipped with advanced AI models from OpenAI, can engage in meaningful conversations about sensitive topics that individuals might hesitate to discuss with humans. During a media presentation, the robot demonstrated its capabilities by advising a journalist on mindfulness, stating, "Buddhism teaches that it is important not to blindly follow one's thoughts or rush headlong into things. One approach is to calm your mind and let go of the thought itself." This innovation is particularly significant given Japan's shrinking and aging population, which poses challenges for traditional religious practices. The university anticipates that AI humanoid robots like Buddharoid could assist or even replace certain religious rituals traditionally performed by human monks, marking a potential paradigm shift in religious culture.