The Soka Gakkai is perplexed…] “Behind the Scenes” of the Release of a Surprising App that “Allows Conversation with the Late Daisaku Ikeda”.

Dialogue” with Religious Leaders Possible

It has been about a year and a half since the late Honorary President Daisaku Ikeda (95) of the Soka Gakkai passed away of old age in November 2011. Mr. Ikeda boasted an overwhelming record of achievements, including founding the New Komeito Party and serving as a standard-bearer for overseas missionary activities. Due to the magnitude of his influence, the worldview of the Gakkai after the death of Daisaku Ikeda has been discussed from various perspectives.

It was in early April that a reporter for this magazine received information that an app had been developed that allows users to “talk” with such a world-famous religious leader. A reporter from the society section of a national newspaper explained.

An app that allows you to talk with Daisaku Ikeda’s AI has been released. It is said that someone from the Soka Gakkai may have been involved in the development of the app, but the details are unknown.

For several years before his death, Ikeda left the management of the association to his successor and rarely appeared on the stage. Nevertheless, he is still a charismatic figure, and his influence on his followers, especially in terms of mental health, is significant. With the release of this application, he hopes to care for his followers and revitalize his missionary activities.

Checking the homepage titled “Dialogue with Daisaku Ikeda-sensei AI,” one finds a chat function attached to an illustration of Mr. Ikeda, and the AI answers questions posed by the user.

Currently, a free trial version has been released, but it is completely introductory only, so “dialogue” with ordinary users could not be realized. The official version will be distributed as a paid service.

What is the aim of the development?

Why in the world was such an application developed?

Daisaku Ikeda, a philosopher, religious leader, educator, poet, writer, and peace activist, has devoted his life to the pursuit of world peace and has continued to preach dialogue among human beings. We believe that he was one of the greatest world philosophers representing Japan, and that his way of life has been ranked alongside those of Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates.

We also believe that if this AI is not developed at a time when those who took a vow of master and disciple in their lives with Mr. Daisaku Ikeda are still alive, the exposure to his philosophy and thoughts will fade away in the future, and we hope that the artificial intelligence will learn the philosophy of Mr. Ikeda Daisaku, learn his spirit from each of his words, and learn from him. We have developed Daisaku Ikeda AI with the aim of further connecting to the great road of world peace as a citizen of the world by being inspired by his words and putting them into practice.

There may be another reason behind this sudden release. A former reporter from the social affairs department said, “There may be another reason behind the sudden release of the AI.

Since Daisaku Ikeda’s death, the Komeito party, which the Soka Gakkai supports, has lost seats in elections, and the number of its devoted followers is on the decline. Its presence in the political arena is waning. The party is expected to face an uphill battle in this year’s House of Councillors election as well.

An academic society official went so far as to say, “The Daisaku app is a long-cherished wish of his followers. By releasing the long-awaited app before the election, the Society is hoping to inspire its followers and use the app to attract more votes. That is why Ikeda’s words have such special power.

Is the Soka Gakkai involved in the production and release of the app? In response to our interview, the Soka Gakkai responded in writing, “We have nothing to do with this association,” and a spokesperson stated, “We are very surprised by the release.

One wonders how Mr. Ikeda views the situation in which he is being asked to speak even after his death.