Can ancient wisdom guide AI's future? A forum in Shandong thinks so. The 2026 Nishan Forum on World Civilizations will dedicate a special session to "AI and universal harmony".

Liu Hao, deputy director of the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, said AI is not merely a tool but a key variable shaping future civilizations. The forum aims to bring Eastern wisdom, particularly the Confucian idea of ren (benevolence), into global AI governance.

The session will feature a keynote by Xue Lan, a professor at Tsinghua University who also serves as dean of its Institute for AI International Governance. Two panel discussions will bring together experts in AI, philosophy, ethics and global governance.

Organizers noted that algorithmic bias, the digital divide and unclear ethical boundaries cannot be solved by technical logic alone. Confucian principles such as "benevolence" and "do not impose on others what you do not desire" can offer an ethical foundation for responsible AI.

Operating under the concept of "harmony in diversity", the forum calls for an inclusive, fair and beneficial AI order, making technology a bridge for cultural exchange and ensuring its benefits reach all humanity.