Written by Dexter Cohen Bohn
From 25-27 August 2025, a small group of social activists, community advocates and digital natives from Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia gathered in Kuala Lumpur to explore the digital world through the lens of social development. The three day Digital Dharma programme, jointly implemented by the International Network of Engaged Buddhists and Malaysian consultancy firm Spirit of Endeavour, was designed to equip participants with foundational skills and knowledge needed to make use of digital tools to drive meaningful change in the world. This first of its kind gathering for the INEB Network blossomed forth from seeds planted by the Digital Bodhisattva Initiative, INEB’s ongoing strategic engagement applying engaged Buddhist values to the increasingly digital challenges of our time.
Humanizing Technology
Instead of jumping immediately into the abstract world of 1’s and 0’s, the program began softly with the participants returning to themselves. Prompted by lead facilitator KV Soon Vidyananda (INEB Executive Committee member) and programme coordinators Linus and Anishaa, to write a self-description without any personal identifiers such as name, profession, ethnicity or interests they were encouraged to express what it means to be truly human. Authentic aspirations, felt senses and emotional journeys were shared with uncanny vigor helping the group express richer layers of identity to each other than the shallow images often transmitted in the digital world.
Once in touch with their stories, deeper interpersonal practices were introduced that brought real human complexity to the surface. Gazing into the fluttering eyes of new friends, affirming repetitive sentences and laughing a great deal at each other’s awkwardness drilled the point home. This was the position of humanity, the only position from which the first day’s topic would make any sense: Humanizing Technology.
With minds and hearts warmed by authentic connection, KV opened the box of technology pushing the participant’s creative faculties to envision the world 100 years in the future. Divided at random into either the Utopian or Dystopian camp, this sci-fi exercise spread perspective to the edges of the horizon challenging participants understanding of global trends, challenges and opportunities. Fusion Energy, Super AI, Brain Chips and Alien Contact were all proposed as potentially pivotal events in the developments of Tomorrow stoking hope and healthy apprehension before lunch.
Following Malay noodles and gifted sweets from across South East Asia, KV Soon shared an introductory lecture on the evolution of AI with the group – many of whom did not come from computer engineering or technical backgrounds. Key distinctions were drawn between the variety of AI systems developed and in wide use today from simple reactive tools like thermostats to advanced large language models such as ChatGPT. Focus was placed on the multi-lateral impacts that these developments brought, for better or worse, intentionally shifting the view from siloed outcomes to the shifting nature of our globalized ecosystem, now more connected than ever. Primed by the values-centered human perspective, this content sparked lively discussion on the future of relationships that carried on late into the night guided by the introduction of an older, yet no less advanced technology, known as talanoa.
Root Tech
After dinner the group sat together on a traditional Fijian mat and observed with curiosity as Dexter Cohen Bohn prepared a simple earthy beverage by mixing the powdered roots of the kava plant together with water. Explaining the ancient origins of consuming this relaxing drink in a communal and conversational setting, Dexter described the practice of talanoa as one of the Pacific’s greatest technologies. A unique mode of peer-to-peer dialogue and storytelling, talanoa is a method for authentic connection commonly practiced across many Pacific Islands cultures while drinking kava. Whether transmitting profound oral histories, relating a recent encounter, or cracking jokes, the time spent and information shared in talanoa is rooted in the experience of shared humanity. Sitting together around the kava bowl, the day’s core theme of Humanizing Technology was grounded by the causal flow of reflective conversation circulating between new friends.
Malaysiakini
The following day the group visited the head offices of Malaysiakini, Malayasia’s leading independent news agency, where they engaged in talanoa – this time fueled by coffee and tea – with co-founder and former CEO Premesh Chandran. Growing up in the 1970’s and 80’s Premesh shared how he had witnessed the rise of student movements across South East Asia driving radicle opposition to entrenched regimes. Inspired by the courage of these youth movements speaking truth to power from the grassroots, Premesh and his co-founders saw a unique opportunity in the late 1990’s to use the newly democratizing technology of the internet for the benefit of society. As Malaysia’s first online-only newspaper, Malaysiakini grew from humble cyber cafe beginnings into a trailblazing model for independent journalism in South East Asia.
As one of the nation’s most reliable news outlets, the Digital Dharma group were keen to understand how Malaysiakini was adapting to the proliferation of ‘fake news’, AI generated content and the shift away from traditional media towards short form social platforms. Premesh shared that accuracy is always at the core of quality reporting, whether writers are using AI for drafts or editing is beside the point – the truth is what matters most. When the truth is reported trust is built and it is this fundamental relationship that sustains any respectable news organization.
In outlining his view that “the tools of journalism must support the articulation of truth”, Premesh offered the example of a product he is currently developing via Awatar.ai – his own AI venture – to improve information traceability and accuracy of citations for journalists. By refreshing contrast, Premesh envisions the wise use of artificial intelligence as enhancing the quality of reporting and journalistic integrity, not undermining it. The group were enthused by the discussion at Malaysiakini and left with a clearer understanding of how deep alignment with core values such as humility and transparency can shape large organizations and the development of new technologies.
Digital Government Transformation
The third and final day pushed the participants from the realm of independent critique into the structural domain with the help of Digital Government Transformation expert, Tan Kim Leng. With extensive experience working as a public sector technology consultant across Asia and Africa, Kim Leng shared lessons and insights from decades of driving change within some the world’s least dynamic organizations: Governments.
Staying true to one’s values amidst a maelstrom of competing agendas is the core competency required to be an effective agent of transformation. Kim Leng emphasized that nowhere is this more important than when working in the public sector. Large organizations such as governments are usually keen to digitize without understanding the necessary implications of transformation. When an inefficient processes are digitized – whether it be driving license renewals or applications for a building permit – you make it harder, not easier to improve the quality of public services.
To counteract the shortcut tendency to simply ‘make an app for that’, it is essential to re-engineer underlying processes into more intuitive and lean systems. When approached with a transformative view, this seemingly bureaucratic exercise has the power to save citizens and governments enormous amounts of time and money. While still ultimately pinned to G.O.D.’s will (i.e. the Government Of the Day), this subtle tinkering with the structures of civic life is an important and under appreciated dimension of how skillful use of technology can drive meaningful change in the world.
Conclusion:
From the first giggly moments of introspection to the closing panoramic views of national development strategy, the Digital Dharma retreat offered its participants a opperutunity to see and feel a spectrum of values in action. By building up an embodied understanding of humanized technology through group work and creative ideation a shared sense of meaning was established that continued to evolve as the programme progressed. While the discussions were rich and content thought provoking, Digital Dharma’s greatest success was the creation of a new community of heart-centered South East Asian youth awake to the possibilities of a future shaped by technology with pro-social values.
Already self-coordinating in ways only a digitally native generation can, Digital Dharma participants are exploring future program offerings for 2026 and beyond to be run across South East Asia.
For more information explore https://linktr.ee/digitalbodhisattva
