KUALA LUMPUR, 9 October 2026 – As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform the way people live, work and interact, an increasingly important question emerges: How can society embrace technological progress without losing the qualities that make us human?
This question will take centre stage at the Applied Anthroposophy Conference Malaysia 2026 (AACM 2026), taking place in Kuala Lumpur from 28 October to 1 November 2026.
Organised by Kongsi Co-op, with the support of and in collaboration with HELP University and local community organisations, the five-day conference, themed “Reshaping Society in the Age of AI,” will bring together educators, practitioners, community leaders and members of the public to explore how society can be shaped around human dignity, creativity, cooperation and social responsibility.
At the heart of the conference is the belief that while AI can increasingly automate tasks, analyse information and influence decision-making, distinctly human capacities such as independent thinking, empathy, ethical judgment and purposeful action remain essential to building a meaningful future.
Dr Michaela Glöckler, co-founder of the European Alliance of Initiatives for Applied Anthroposophy (ELIANT), will deliver the keynote address, offering insights into how individuals and communities can respond to the social and cultural challenges brought about by technological advancement.
“This is not a conference about AI,” said Dr Glöckler.
“It is an invitation to ask a deeper question: if technology is changing the way we live, work and relate to one another, how should we reshape society itself?”
Reimagining Society Through Human-Centred Values
AACM 2026 draws upon the concept of Threefold Social Life, an anthroposophical framework that considers three interconnected dimensions of society: freedom in cultural and spiritual life, equality in rights and relationships, and cooperation in economic life.
Through this framework, participants will examine how education, social institutions and economic systems can better support individual development, human dignity and collective wellbeing.
The conference will also explore pressing questions surrounding the growing influence of AI, including how individuals can preserve independent thought in an increasingly automated world, how societies can safeguard equality and human dignity, and how economic systems can prioritise cooperation and social responsibility alongside technological and commercial progress.
HELP University Champions Humane Education in the Age of AI
For HELP University, its involvement in AACM 2026 reflects its longstanding commitment to developing individuals who are not only academically and professionally competent, but also socially conscious, ethically grounded and equipped to contribute meaningfully to society.
HELP University Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Paul Chan, emphasised that technological advancement must be accompanied by a renewed commitment to human development and social responsibility.
“As AI continues to reshape our world, education must go beyond the acquisition of knowledge and technical skills. We must nurture individuals who can think independently, exercise sound ethical judgment, demonstrate empathy and contribute constructively to the communities around them.
“At HELP University, our Humane Education Learning Philosophy places the whole person at the centre of education. We believe that meaningful learning must develop not only intellectual capabilities, but also imagination, character and the capacity to live and work responsibly with others.
“This commitment is also reflected in our emphasis on humane entrepreneurship, where enterprise and innovation are encouraged alongside human dignity, social wellbeing and ecological responsibility. Economic progress should not be pursued in isolation from the wellbeing of people and the environment.
“Our collaboration in AACM 2026 reflects a shared aspiration to nurture individuals and communities capable of shaping a more compassionate, creative and cooperative society in the age of AI,” he said.
Moving Beyond Dialogue to Meaningful Action
Designed to encourage active participation rather than purely theoretical discussion, AACM 2026 will feature keynote lectures, nine workshops and twelve art and practice sessions facilitated by tutors and practitioners from Malaysia and abroad.
The programme will bring together artistic experiences, community initiatives, practical learning and collaborative conversations, encouraging participants to exchange perspectives and explore ways of translating ideas into meaningful action.
Among the topics to be explored is seed sovereignty, highlighting how communities, farmers and consumers can collectively take responsibility for sustainable food systems and the preservation of shared resources in an increasingly technology-driven society.
By integrating intellectual dialogue with hands-on experiences, the conference aims to demonstrate how the principles of thinking, feeling and willing can be translated into everyday practices that strengthen individuals and communities.
The organisers emphasised that the conference is open to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with anthroposophy.
“You don’t need to know anthroposophy to join us. You only need to be curious about the future and willing to participate in co-creating it,” the organisers said.
“The future is not something that simply happens to us. It is something we have the responsibility and the freedom to shape.”
An Invitation to Explore, Connect and Co-Create
As AI continues to redefine the boundaries of human capability, AACM 2026 offers an opportunity for Malaysians to reflect on the kind of society they wish to build, and the role that education, community and individual responsibility must play in shaping that future.
The conference welcomes educators, students, professionals, community organisations and members of the public interested in exploring a more human-centred approach to social and technological progress.
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