Co-evolution of humans and AI - Co-creating a sustainable society 100 years into the future

Event Overview

The rapid evolution of AI is bringing about major changes to our society, the way we work, and organizational structures. We need to effectively utilize this wave of technological innovation and build a new social model in which humans and AI can mutually develop.

At the open forum commemorating the establishment of the "Kamakura AI and Human/Organization Co-Evolution Lab," we will present concrete approaches for co-creating a sustainable society 100 years from now from Kamakura, where the practical wisdom of Zen is fused with cutting-edge technology.

A vision for the future from the mindful city of Kamakura

The rapid evolution of AI is bringing about major changes to our society, the way we work, and the very nature of human beings. However, current AI development prioritizes only computational power and intelligence, and there has been insufficient discussion about improving AI's "ethics" and "ability to cooperate with humans." If things continue as they are, we cannot help but feel concerned that AI that is highly intelligent but lacks harmony with human society will become widespread.

The Kamakura AI and Human/Organization Co-evolution Lab will tackle this issue head-on and promote research and practice to deepen mutual understanding between AI and humans. From Kamakura, where Zen philosophy and cutting-edge technology come together, we will disseminate a co-evolutionary model of AI and humans in which intelligence and ethics are in harmony, and present a vision for co-creating a happy society 100 years from now.

This forum will create a space to consider the evolution of AI and the evolution of humans and organizations against the backdrop of Kamakura's historical environment and Zen philosophy.

Based on the concept of " Mindful City Kamakura ," we will engage in dialogue and exploration to create a happy society 100 years from now, where AI and humans can work together. Based on the modern interpretation of Buddhism and the Buddhist teachings of "Me, Nature, and Connection," we will deeply consider the mutual development of AI and humans and the evolution of organizations, and share a vision for realizing a "mindful planet" in 2050.

Special Keynote Speech: Co-evolutionary Model of AI and Humans

Special lecture by Mr. Mikio Shishido (Co-representative of Zen2.0 General Incorporated Association) and Mr. Taichiro Endo (Professor at Tokyo Gakugei University and Visiting Researcher at RIKEN AIP).

We will explain the possibilities of the "co-evolutionary model of humans and AI" that is born from the fusion of "learning organization theory," the wisdom of the scientific approach of Zen and mindfulness, and cutting-edge AI research.

Event Outline

• Date and time: July 3, 2025 (Thursday) 14:00-16:30

• Location: Kamakura Mirai Lab Former Murakami Residence (2-8-22 Nishimikado, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture)

• Organizer: Zen2.0 General Incorporated Association

• Language:

  Keynote Speech: Simultaneous interpretation from Japanese to English using AI

  Panel Discussion: Simultaneous interpretation from Japanese to English using AI

  Dialogue: Japanese only

  Note: The quality of AI simultaneous interpretation may not always be sufficient, and some technical terms may be mistranslated. Please note this in advance.

• Capacity: 20 people (first come, first served)

• Participation fee:

  • General admission fee: 8,000 yen (tax included)

  • Early registration discount: 7,000 yen (tax included) *Applicable to those who register up to 2 weeks before the event

  • Student discount: 5,000 yen (tax included) *ID required

• Social gathering: After the forum, participants only (separate participation fee of 6,000 yen)

  
  

About the Kamakura AI and Human/Organization Co-Evolution Lab

The Kamakura AI and Human/Organization Co-evolution Lab was established as a place to research and practice the mutual development of AI and humans, and the evolution of organizations. Taking advantage of the historical and cultural background of Kamakura, we explore the fusion of Zen philosophy and technology.

After the forum, we plan to hold a series of paid face-to-face study sessions once a month (online) every three months. Through in-depth dialogue and exchange in small groups, sharing of the latest knowledge by leading researchers and practitioners, and experiential workshops that combine theory and practice, you will learn concrete approaches to creating a future in which humans and AI evolve together. What you will gain from this forum

• Knowledge about the possibility of a social structure in which AI and humans can mutually develop

•The impact of the scientific analysis of Zen and mindfulness on future AI development •Practical approaches and case studies of AI use in organizations

•Networking opportunities with leading researchers and practitioners

An overview of the "Kamakura AI and Human/Organization Co-Evolution Lab," a space for future continuous learning, and opportunities to participate

program

•14:00-14:10 Opening and purpose explanation

•14:10-14:50 Keynote speech: "A co-evolutionary model of humans and AI - co-creating a sustainable society 100 years from now"

•14:50-15:20 Panel discussion: "Humans raised by AI and AI raised by humans"

•15:20-15:30 Break

•15:30-15:40 Special presentation: "Superintelligent AI in Symbiosis and Harmony"

•15:40-16:00 Dialogue "Our Future Evolving with AI"

•16:00-16:30 Presentation of research lab activity plan "The co-evolutionary journey begins in Kamakura", Q&A, closing session

venue

Kamakura Future Lab

The former Murakami residence is a Japanese-style wooden house built before 1939 in Nishimikado, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is designated as one of the city's important scenic buildings. After it became the property of Murakami in 1941, it features a Noh stage that was remodeled from part of the main house, and there is also a separate tea room on the premises where Noh and Yokyoku performances and tea ceremonies have been held. It was donated to Kamakura City in 2016, and is currently used as the "Kamakura Mirai Lab," a corporate training and community hub.

Speakers

co-director

Mikio Shishido

Representative Director of Kamakura Mindfulness Lab Co., Ltd. As a result of suffering from asthma and being physically weak during his junior high and high school years, he became interested in the possibilities of human consciousness and began a personal quest for "consciousness." He was involved in research related to quantum mechanics at university. After working at IBM Japan, he participated in the launch of a human resources development venture company. In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, he moved his base to Kamakura in 2012 and developed a new type of corporate organization, human resources development training, and executive coaching based on "improving human awareness" by fusing the worldview of Zen, mindfulness, and quantum mechanics. Together with Koji Miki of enmono Co., Ltd. in Kamakura, he co-founded the international Zen and mindfulness forum "Zen2.0," which has been held annually since 2017 at Kenchoji Temple, a Zen temple in Kamakura.

co-director

Taichiro Endo

Professor, Educational AI Program, Tokyo Gakugei University / CEO, Kaname Project Co., Ltd.

28 years of experience in AI. Involved in hundreds of AI, data utilization, and DX projects. Started AI programming at age 18, started a company while studying at the University of Minnesota Graduate School in the US. Later joined AI startup ExaWizards and oversaw the AI department as a technical executive. Starting with a team of a few people, the organization scaled up to handle 40-50 AI projects in parallel while developing the organization. In five years, it expanded to 400 people and went public. Currently, as his third company, he is developing a business centered on AI and Web3 at Kaname Project Co., Ltd. Tokyo Gakugei University is also focusing on the use of AI in education. International Coaching Federation (ACC).

Panelist / Dialogue Participant / Moderator

Panelists

Founding Member/Researcher

Tsuruaki Yukawa

IT journalist. He conducts research and disseminates information on the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and human lifestyles. He regards AI as a "predictive model" and explains how predictions become possible with data (input) and results (output). He is knowledgeable about examples of AI usage in various fields, including medicine, art, and surveillance technology. Regarding the possibility of AI replacing jobs, he points out that while not all jobs will disappear in the short term, many jobs are likely to change in the medium to long term. He focuses on areas where AI is weak, such as human "creativity" and "risk-taking decisions," and considers how to live in the age of AI.

Moderator

Founding Member/Deputy Director

Kouji Miki

Representative Director of enmono Co., Ltd. and Representative Director of Zen2.0 General Incorporated Association. After joining Fujitsu Ltd. and earning a Master's degree in Policy and Media from Keio University, he went on to a doctoral program. After serving as an executive officer of an IT venture, he was laid off due to changes in the business. To recover from the shock, he started practicing zazen every morning. He started offering "zenschool," an innovation training method that utilizes mindfulness. In January 2016, he was reported in "Gaia no Yoake." In September 2017, he hosted Japan's first international mindfulness conference, "Zen2.0," at Kenchoji Temple in Kita-Kamakura. It has grown into the world's largest international conference on Zen and mindfulness. He is currently working to make Kamakura a mindful city that combines IT with its axis. He will be giving lectures on "AI and Ikigai" at international forums from 2023.