An invitation
Minds, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics
Monday, October 13 – Friday, October 17, 2025
Dharamsala, India
Join us at Dialogue XXXIX!
In coordination with the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it is with joy that we announce a return to Dharamsala, India this fall for the 39th Mind & Life Dialogue. We invite you to join in this meaningful experience.
This is an invitation-only event. Invitations are non-transferable. Please let us know your attendance plans as soon as possible. All spots are on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached.
Overview
For nearly four decades, Mind & Life has hosted inspiring Dialogues with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, bringing together leading thinkers to explore some of the most pressing issues of our time at the intersection of science and contemplative wisdom. What began as intimate discussions in 1987 has grown into a rich tradition of both public and private gatherings held around the world.
We invite you to join us in October 2025 for our latest in-person Mind & Life Dialogue on Minds, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics. This week-long gathering will offer a rare and meaningful opportunity for you to witness engaging exchanges with our esteemed presenters, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and be in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the last day. Together, we will celebrate His Holiness’ extraordinary legacy in bridging Buddhist wisdom and Western science as part of a yearlong tribute to his 90th birthday.
Dialogue XXXIX is co-hosted by the Mind & Life Institute and Mind & Life Europe. Stay tuned for the announcement of our featured presenters and moderators!
Beyond the Dialogue experience, you will also enjoy:
- Opportunities to connect with presenters and fellow participants in both casual and structured conversations
- Guided contemplative practices to deepen your experience
- Cultural experiences that honor the region and Tibetan traditions
We look forward to sharing this special gathering with you!
Minds, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an increasingly prevalent part of our everyday lives, critical ethical, societal, and scientific issues are emerging that warrant close investigation, consideration, discussion, and enlightened action.
What is the potential of AI to alleviate suffering, promote equity and social harmony, and support flourishing on Earth, and what are the risks AI poses to global health and well-being, work, education, politics, and climate action?
Critically, what kinds of ethical qualities might and should human beings infuse into artificial forms of intelligence such that it avoids harmful effects and rather benefits the well-being of all on Earth.
In this dialogue between leading scientists, scholars, contemplative practitioners, business leaders, policy makers, and others, we will explore our understandings of the nature of the living mind. We do this in service of developing and exploring a set of generative questions about AI with openness to diverse wisdom and knowledge traditions.
Key Dates
- Now | Please indicate your RSVP (attending or not attending) as soon as possible. All spots are on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached.
- July 7 | Deadline to submit your visa, flight details, hotel payment, and excursion sign-up to Mind & Life. More details will be sent to attendees upon registration.
- Early September | Pre-event zoom meeting to connect with other attendees.
- October 12 | Guest arrival in Delhi, India for overnight layover. Note that presenters are following a different schedule, arriving earlier.
- October 13 | Guest arrival in Dharamsala, India. Opening Reception and Dinner at Hotel Norbu House.
- October 13-17 | Dialogue XXXIX
- October 18 | Guest departure from Dharamsala, followed by departure from Delhi. Overnight layover in Delhi as needed.
Schedule
We care about your safety and well-being while in India. We also aim to host a week of activities that encourage celebration, connection, and the rich exchange of ideas.
Mind & Life Institute staff will make arrangements to meet you upon landing in Delhi,* provide airport ground transportation in Delhi and Dharamsala,** and organize all group activities and meals with your safety and comfort in mind.
See below for the current draft schedule.
Faculty and
Program Planning Committee
Ani Choeyang
Jangchub Choeling Nunnery
Molly Crockett, PhD
Princeton University | Program Planning Committee
Marc-Henri Deroche, PhD
Kyoto University | Program Planning Committee
Iason Gabriel, PhD
Google DeepMind
Shaun Gallagher, PhD
University of Memphis
Thupten Jinpa, PhD
Mind & Life Institute Board Chair; Compassion Institute Founder; English Translator of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
His Eminence Khangser Rinpoche
Gyuto Monastery, Thangkar Dechen Choling Monastic Institute
Sasha Luccioni, PhD
Hugging Face
Anat Perry, PhD
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Geshe Lodoe Sangpo
Gaden Jangtse Monastery | Program Planning Committee
Murray Shanahan, PhD
Imperial College London, Google DeepMind
Mog Stapleton, PhD
University of Edinburgh | Program Planning Committee
Luc Steels, PhD
University of Brussels | Program Planning Committee
Geshe Thabke
Sera Jay Monastery
Marieke van Vugt, PhD
University of Groningen | Program Planning Committee
Additional Key People
Amy Cohen Varela | Mind & Life Europe Board Chair
Suzanne Bond | Mind & Life Institute President
Gábor Karsai | Mind & Life Europe Managing Director
Rob Roeser | Dialogue Advisory Council; Mind & Life Institute, Co-Chair, Research and Programs Council; Professor, PennState University
Event Cost
There is a $975 per person convenience fee for all guests. The convenience fee covers the following:
- Airport ground transportation in New Delhi*
- Ground transportation in Dharamsala**
- Opening reception and dinner plus the closing celebration dinner
- Lunches (Tuesday-Friday) and tea breaks
- Specially planned culture experiences
- On-the-ground assistance throughout the week
- Other costs Mind & Life incurs in creating a positive experience for you
Guests are responsible for all costs related to travel and accommodations plus incidentals and meals not detailed above.
The convenience fee is not a tax-deductible contribution. The convenience fee is due at the time of registration. For cancellations received before May 1, you will receive a refund of 50% of your fee. Cancellations received on or after May 1 are nonrefundable.
Passports, Visas, and Security Documents
Passport & Visa
All foreign nationals are required to have a passport with an expiration date that is beyond 6 months of travel. A visa to enter India is also required. Guests should apply for a one-year (or five-year) tourist e-Visa online on the Government of India website. See E-Visa Application Instructions below for critical information.
E-Visa Application Instructions (PDF)
Security Badge
You will need to provide a copy of your visa, your passport’s photo page, and your photo to the Mind & Life Institute for purposes of your security badge, required by the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The photo must be square, forward facing, and cropped close to your face. It does not have to be an official passport photo. Secure upload instructions will be provided. Deadline for submitting your security documents is July 7, 2025.
Accommodations
Delhi Hotel
Mind & Life has selected the Pullman Aerocity Hotel as the designated hotel in Delhi. The Pullman is located close to Delhi International Airport (DEL) for your layover stays. This hotel should be direct-reserved (either by you or the travel agent) and direct-paid by you. Ground transportation will only be provided between this hotel and DEL. If you book another hotel in Delhi, please self-arrange any needed transportation.
Dharamsala Hotel
Accommodations in Dharamsala have been secured by Mind & Life at Hotel Norbu House, Hotel Yewang House, Zambala House, and Pema Thang Guesthouse. All hotels are Tibetan-owned properties within close walking distance to each other, allowing for ease of socialization and gathering. Breakfast is included in your room rate.
Full details regarding your specific hotel and cost will be relayed to you by mid-May. Payment for your 5-night stay will be through Mind & Life and is due by July 7. Once paid, no refunds can be accommodated.
Flights
Guests are responsible for self-booking their Delhi (DEL) and Dharamsala (DHM) flights. In general, international flights will require an overnight stay in Delhi.
Your flights must be booked and relayed to Mind & Life by July 7.
Please note that the DEL-DHM flight is operated by IndiGo, a regional carrier on a 78 seat plane. To ensure your travel with the group and benefit from the arranged ground transportation, we strongly recommend booking far in advance. IndiGo tickets cannot be booked by travel agents. You will need to direct purchase on the IndiGo website.
If you would like assistance booking international travel, we are pleased to work with Covington Travel. Please contact specialist Brenda Martin who is aware of the program schedule. brendam@covtrav.com or (434) 220-2111.
Suggested Travel
Sunday, October 12, 2025: Arrival of your international flight to Delhi (DEL). If you elect to stay at the designated hotel, ground transportation will be arranged and provided for you.
Monday, October 13, 2025: IndiGo flight*** (DEL-DHM) 11:20 am – 1:00 pm. Ground transportation will be provided from the designated hotel to DEL as well as to your Dharamsala hotel upon landing at DHM.
Saturday, October 18, 2025: IndiGo flight*** (DHM-DEL) 8:50 am – 10:25 am. Ground transportation will be provided from your Dharamsala hotel to DHM as well as to the designated Delhi hotel (if required).
Saturday, October 18 or Sunday, October 19: Departure of your international flight from Delhi (DEL). Most guests choose to stay at the designated Delhi hotel during the extended layover to sleep and/or enjoy a good meal. Ground transportation will be provided to/from this hotel.
Questions?
Ellen Kellner, Mind & Life, will be your primary contact concerning all logistics. Feel free to contact her with any questions:
+1 (434) 329-7865,
ekellner@mindandlife.org,
or WhatsApp +1 (717) 439-1285
* Ground transportation will be provided from Delhi (DEL) airport to the designated Delhi hotel. Guests must arrive within the window of Saturday, October 11 – Sunday October 12 to take advantage of this front-end arranged transportation service. For your departing flight on the backend of the week, an extended layover in Delhi may be needed. Transportation between DEL, the designated Delhi hotel, and back to DEL will be arranged for Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19. Ground transportation outside of these parameters must be self-arranged and self-paid.
** Ground transportation between DHM (Dharamsala) airport and the Mind & Life designated hotels will be provided for guests arriving on Monday, October 13 and departing on Saturday, October 18. Ground transportation will also be provided for organized guest excursions. Ground transportation outside of these parameters should be self-arranged and self-paid.
*** If the IndiGo flight is sold out, we will arrange transportation for this flight: SpiceJet 11:30 am – 12:55 pm on Oct 13; and for the return, SpiceJet 9:40 – 11:00 am on Oct 18.
