3 Ways Artificial Intelligence Will Help Shape the Mindfulness Field

Key Highlights

• The Dual Nature of AI - Potential Benefits and Risks: Mo Edjlali highlights the multifaceted nature of AI, discussing its ubiquity in daily life and its ability to both enhance productivity and raise concerns. He emphasizes the potential for automation, and personalization, but also acknowledges the challenges related to privacy, manipulation, and societal inequalities.
• Digital AI Clones: Edjlali discusses the idea of using AI to create personalized, 24/7 accessible companions trained on individual data. Something similar can already be seen with the app Digital Deepak. This could democratize mental health care by offering tailored support to those who may face barriers to traditional therapy.
• AI Mind Reading: Edjlali discusses a groundbreaking technology developed at the University of Texas that translates brain scans into text. He addresses the potential for AI to read thoughts and emotions, highlighting the ethical considerations surrounding privacy and manipulation. Despite concerns, he encourages viewing this technology optimistically, recognizing its potential to revolutionize communication and deepen human connection.
• AI Realtime Coach: The integration of AI clones with mind-reading technology is explored as a means to develop real-time mindfulness coaches. These coaches could offer immediate, personalized feedback during meditation, helping individuals optimize their practice and overcome challenges.

Session Summary

At the 2023 Mindful Leader Summit, Mo Edjlali, the CEO and founder of Mindful Leader, led a thought-provoking discussion by delving into the transformative potential of AI in the realm of mindfulness. His presentation pushed the boundaries of traditional mindfulness practice, painting a picture of a future where AI acts as a powerful catalyst for growth, and mental well-being.

What is the Buzz about AI?

AI is all around us, from the generated images we see in blogs and social media to the music we listen to on streaming services. It's even helping us to create new content, with tools like GPT-3.5 being able to generate human-quality text. However, AI can also be a source of fear and uncertainty, as we grapple with this technology's potential benefits and risks.

Armageddon or Utopia?

Edjlali acknowledged that AI presents a complex challenge, highlighting the potential for both positive and negative outcomes. On the one hand, AI has the power to automate mundane tasks, freeing up our time and energy for more meaningful pursuits. It can also personalize our experiences, providing us with tailored information and support. However, AI also raises concerns about privacy, manipulation, and loss of control. Additionally, it has the potential to exacerbate inequalities in society.

Digital AI Clones: Immortalizing Our Teachers

One of the applications of AI in the realm of mindfulness is the creation of digital AI clones. These clones could allow us to access the wisdom and guidance of our favorite teachers and mentors, even after they have passed away. One example of this is the Digital Deepak app which is an app that allows someone to have 24/7 access to an AI clone of Deepak Chopra. These clones could eventually have the ability to know you better than yourself. Imagine a digital confidant trained on your unique data – emails, messages, social media posts – a reflection of your inner self that can offer personalized advice, tailored to your specific needs and challenges. This, Edjlali believes, could democratize access to mental health care, providing a lifeline to those who may struggle to afford traditional therapy.

AI Mind Reading: Translating Brain Scans into Text

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a technology that can translate brain scans into text. This opens up the possibility of using AI to read our thoughts and emotions. While this could be used to provide personalized mindfulness support, it also raises ethical concerns about privacy and the potential for manipulation. Edjlali encourages the audience to approach this with both optimism and skepticism and emphasizes its potential to revolutionize communication and deepen human connection.

AI Realtime Coach: Guiding Our Mindfulness Practice

Combining AI clones with mind-reading technology could lead to the development of real-time mindfulness coaches. These coaches could provide personalized feedback and guidance, helping us to optimize our practice. They could also help us to identify and address potential challenges. Imagine using one of these AI clones with mind-reading technology to help you determine if a particular meditation is right for you. While doing the meditation, the clone could read your brain scans and give you immediate and personalized feedback on whether the meditation is working for you or not. 

What's Next for AI and Mindfulness?

As AI continues to evolve, it is likely to play an increasingly important role in our lives. Edjlali urged us to approach this technology with a balanced perspective, acknowledging both its potential benefits and risks. He also encouraged us to become more literate in AI, understanding how it works and how it can be used responsibly.

Final Thoughts

Mo Edjlali's talk at the 2023 Mindful Leader Summit wasn't merely a glimpse into the future; it was a call to action. He challenged us to embrace the potential of AI while remaining vigilant of its ethical implications. By doing this, we can create a world where mindfulness is accessible to all, enabling individuals and societies to cultivate inner peace, forge deeper connections, and live more fulfilling and meaningful lives.

Mo Edjlali, the founder and CEO of Mindful Leader, has been at the forefront of the Workplace Mindfulness movement for over a decade. He developed the Certified Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator program, which now boasts over 450 global alumni, and has organized more than a dozen Workplace and Mindful Leader Summits, engaging hundreds of speakers. Mo's contributions also include the creation of Meditate Together - a global community of practice platform, helping Mindful Leader become the #1 provider of MBSR training internationally and he acts as the chief editor for the Mindful Leader's weekly newsletter.

With over 25 years of diverse experience in technology, management, entrepreneurship, and marketing, Mo's background spans start-ups, non-profits, Fortune 500 companies, and government agencies. Mo has served as a board member or advisor to several non-profits, including Brain Futures, Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC, Minds Incorporated, Think Impact, Art for Humanity, and Hungry for Music. He holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Virginia Tech.

Want to see more insightful talks from Mindful Leader? Visit our YouTube page to watch more and make sure to subscribe so you never miss a new one!

Eager to learn more about mindfulness and AI, click here to check out our other AI articles!