At an international forum in Hangzhou, Chinese and overseas scholars explore what Daoist thought can offer to discussions on AI, human values and nature.
As artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday life, questions about its role and limits are drawing attention far beyond the technology sector. At the Sixth International Daoist Forum, which opened in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on November 5th, Chinese and international participants turned to ancient Daoist thought for insights into the relationship between people and technology.
The discussions touched on several questions: Can machines truly understand human experience? How should people judge information generated by AI? And as technology becomes more powerful, how can people retain their own sense of purpose and judgement?
For Sun Xiao, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Taoist Association, using AI and pursuing spiritual practice are not necessarily at odds. He has several popular AI applications on his phone and sees their value in storing, updating and processing knowledge.
However, he believes that greater access to information does not answer the most fundamental questions of human existence, such as where life comes from, where it is heading and what gives it meaning. Technology, he said, should ultimately serve life rather than become detached from its essential needs.
Marcus Peter Round, chairman of the British Daoist Association, also cautioned against equating technology with the Daoist idea of ziran, often translated as “naturalness” or “spontaneity”.
AI depends on complex technological systems, he noted, while the Daoist concept points to a way of being that follows the natural course of things. For Round, the Tao Te Ching offers a reminder to slow down and reconnect with the world around us. It also suggests that technological development should leave room for restraint and respect the rhythms of life.
Keeping Human Judgement in the Age of AI
The question of how people relate to technology also echoes ideas in classical Daoist philosophy.
Liu Gusheng, a professor at the School of History and Culture at Central China Normal University, drew on a saying by the ancient philosopher Zhuangzi: “Use things without being used by them.”
The idea, he explained, is that people can make use of external tools without allowing those tools to control them. In the age of AI, the challenge is to maintain a balance between technological rationality and humanistic values.
Liu also referred to the words of Laozi, “Knowing when to stop prevents danger”. He sees this as a reminder that technological progress should not pursue greater speed and efficiency without limits. Systems also need room for human judgement and correction.
Questions about trust are equally important. Thomas Michael, a researcher at the School of Philosophy at Beijing Normal University, focused on the persuasive language that AI can produce. Fluent expression, he said, does not necessarily make information reliable.
Trustworthy information still needs to be tested against facts and real-world experience. In Daoist traditions, trust between teachers and disciples develops through long-term contact, face-to-face exchanges and shared practice. It cannot be established through words alone.
Michael also drew on two principles from the Tao Te Ching: that the Dao should bring benefit without causing harm, and that the wise should act without seeking contention. He sees these ideas as useful points of reference when considering the ethical boundaries of AI.
Together, these perspectives suggest that the questions raised by AI are not only technical. They also concern how people make decisions, build trust and understand their place in the world.
From Technology to Harmony with Nature
The forum’s discussions also returned to another central idea in Daoist thought: Dao fa ziran, commonly translated as “the Dao follows nature”.
As environmental pressures and climate change pose challenges around the world, participants considered how this principle might inform the relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Jing Wei, vice-chairman of the World Federation of Daoism, said that protecting the planet is a shared responsibility. He pointed to values associated with the Tao Te Ching, including compassion, frugality, humility and restraint in desire, as ways to rethink how people live alongside nature.
Liang Dehua, chairman of the Hong Kong Taoist Association, spoke of the common origin of all things and the need for people to find their proper place within the natural world. Progress and ambition, he suggested, should go hand in hand with an awareness of limits and changing circumstances.
For Zhang Fenglei, a professor at the Institute of Buddhist and Religious Studies at Renmin University of China, the Daoist idea of harmony offers another perspective on coexistence. The Dao gives rise to all things but does not command or replace them. This, he said, offers a way to think about resolving conflicts and allowing different forms of life and thought to coexist.
The forum brings together participants from China and abroad to explore the role of Daoist thought in contemporary society. Across discussions of AI, environmental responsibility and cultural exchange, one thread runs through many of the contributions: technological progress and human development both require a sense of proportion, responsibility and respect for the wider world.
Additional reporting by CNS.
If you liked this article, why not read: Rediscovering Laozi: A New Bilingual Tao Te Ching for the World
