The Monk Who Codes: AI-Driven Tools for Tibetan Language

For over two decades, Geshe Lobsang Monlam has dedicated himself to editorial work on the Tibetan language, Buddhism, and philosophy. Today, as the world experiences rapid shifts driven by artificial intelligence, his journey offers a rare perspective on how tradition and technology intersect. In this talk, Geshe Monlam will reflect on the past, present, and future of Tibetan language preservation and education in the age of AI. Drawing from his experience as both a monk and a pioneer of AI tools for Tibetan, he will explore how emerging technologies are reshaping knowledge systems, transforming learning, and opening new possibilities for integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary innovations. This lecture invites audiences to imagine how the growing power of AI can redefine education and cultural preservation for generations to come.

Dr. Lobsang Monlam: Ordained Tibetan monk, AI enthusiast, and founder of Monlam Tibetan IT Research Centre. In 2003, he began developing Tibetan fonts and digital tools, including the widely used Monlam Dictionary and Monlam Tibetan Keyboard, which have become essential resources for Tibetan language users worldwide. In 2012, he established the Monlam Tibetan IT Research Centre to promote Tibetan language and culture through technology, building 37 open-source software and applications to date and amassing a vast library of digitized texts. In 2023, after receiving his doctorate in Library Science, he launched Monlam AI, a pioneering initiative using artificial intelligence to enhance Tibetan language learning, cultural preservation, and linguistic research with his latest innovation, the Monlam Melong (LLM).