13 March 2026 – Tsinghua SEA, Kura Kura Bali
On 13 March 2026, the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center and Udayana University successfully hosted the Kick Off Event for the 2nd International Conference on Indigenous Wisdom in the Contemporary World (CIWCW 2026) at the UID Bali Campus.
The public discussion explored how Indigenous knowledge systems—often preserved through oral traditions and lived practices that can contribute to more contextual, relational, and sustainable approaches to Artificial Intelligence. The dialogue also addressed challenges in integrating such knowledge into modern data-driven technologies, including large language models.
The event brought together around 100 participants from academia, government, and civil society, creating a platform for cross-sector exchange on building more inclusive and responsible AI systems. A highlight of the program was the Research Matchmaking session, where 20 research ideas and collaboration proposals were presented. Scholars and practitioners shared initiatives, identified common interests, and explored potential interdisciplinary partnerships for future research.
This kick-off event marked the official public launch of CIWCW 2026, introducing the conference theme and inviting participation from scholars, institutions, Indigenous communities, policymakers, and industry stakeholders from around the world. Together, the dialogue reaffirmed the importance of bringing Indigenous voices and local heritage into the global conversation on technology and the future of AI.
