The 2nd International Conference on Indigenous Wisdom in the Contemporary World (CIWCW 2026) will be held on 4 September 2026 in Bali, Indonesia, in collaboration with Universitas Udayana and other national and international partners.

The theme of the 2026 conference is: The Future in Balance: AI, Humanity, and Sustainability.

Hosted in Bali—home to the indigenous philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which emphasizes harmony among people, nature, and the spiritual realm—the conference offers a meaningful setting to examine the future of artificial intelligence (AI) through the lenses of humanity, sustainability, and indigenous wisdom.

Across the world, indigenous communities have developed their own frameworks for living in harmony with people, nature, and the cosmos. Bali’s Tri Hita Karana is one such tradition — and it is far from alone. The Chinese concept of Tian–Ren–He–Yi (天人合一), the Māori principle of Kaitiakitanga, the Navajo concept of Hózhó, and countless others each offer deeply rooted answers to the same enduring questions about how humans belong in the world. Though shaped by different histories and landscapes, these worldviews converge on a shared understanding: that life is relational, reciprocal, and regenerative. It is precisely this understanding that the world needs as it navigates the rise of artificial intelligence — offering a compass for developing AI that is not merely powerful, but inclusive, ethical, and aligned with the long-term well-being of both people and planet.

CIWCW 2026 will convene scholars, policymakers, practitioners, technologists, and indigenous knowledge holders to explore how indigenous wisdom can inform the ethical, inclusive, and sustainable development of AI. The conference will feature keynote speeches and panel discussions, alongside peer-reviewed research presentations that examine AI governance, data sovereignty, and innovation aligned with cultural integrity, social well-being, and economic independence.

As AI continues to advance, the need for sustainable and inclusive approaches has become increasingly urgent. For indigenous communities, this is not merely about access to technology, but about ensuring that AI systems respect, reflect, and protect their worldviews, values, and ways of life. Indigenous epistemologies challenge extractive and homogenizing AI models, offering alternative pathways that emphasize care, continuity, and stewardship. CIWCW 2026 therefore calls for a shift away from one-size-fits-all AI toward culturally grounded and pluralistic approaches, where diverse knowledge systems are recognized as a source of strength.