More than 1,000 religious representatives and university students from around the world gathered today in Chiang Rai, Thailand, for the opening of the 8th World Youth Buddhist Symposium, themed Artificial Intelligence and Buddhism.

The colorful opening, at Mae Fah Lung University, introduced the theme of the four-day conference.

A video, and remarks by Khenpo Sodargye Rinpoche, clarified the promise and peril of artificial intelligence. "The ideology of science and religion need to be merged," Rinpoche said.

Khenpo Sodargye is president of the World Youth Buddhist Society, the organizer of the symposium. This is the eighth of the annual conferences.

Phramaha Pongasawat, a Theravada monk from the Vimuttayulaya Foundation, said AI can contribute, but "if not used wisely could be dangerous."

Representatives of over 30 nations are attending, and the opening ceremony ended with a stirring flag-waving ceremony of nations' flags.