Japan has presented the humanoid robot Buddharoid, based on artificial intelligence, which is capable of providing spiritual guidance.

Japanese researchers have unveiled 'Buddharoid', a monk robot equipped with artificial intelligence, dressed in Buddhist robes and offering spiritual guidance. Created by Seiji Kumagai from Kyoto University, the robot is programmed with sacred texts and has already been tested in a temple. 'Buddharoid' can respond to personal and social questions using Buddhist scriptures, and imitates the movements of monks, such as bowing in greeting and joining hands for prayer.

This innovation comes as a solution to the shortage of monks in the Japanese Buddhist community, in a context where the number of temples is declining. Kumagai believes that the robot could represent a 'paradigm shift' in support of the monks.