Introduction: When Silicon Valley Meets Soul
Let me ask you something – when was the last time you scrolled through your phone and actually felt better afterward?
Yeah, thought so.
We live in strange times. Our pockets contain supercomputers more powerful than what sent astronauts to the moon, yet many of us feel more disconnected than ever. Social media was supposed to bring us together, but often leaves us comparing our behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel. AI can write poetry but can’t tell you what gives life meaning.
This is exactly why the “A Better World” Spirituality and Technology Advancement Scholarship matters. It’s not just about funding another computer science degree – it’s about nurturing a new breed of innovators who understand that true progress isn’t measured in processing power, but in human flourishing.
What Exactly Is This Scholarship?
Beyond Tuition: Funding a Movement
Most scholarships want to know your GPA and test scores. This one wants to know what kind of world you want to build.
Founded in 2018 by a coalition of tech ethicists and spiritual leaders, the program has already supported over 200 students worldwide. What makes it different?
- It’s interdisciplinary by design – past winners include computer scientists studying Buddhist ethics, engineers developing compassion-based AI, and even a robotics student creating meditation-assist devices
- The selection committee cares as much about your personal philosophy statement as your academic transcripts
- Recipients become part of an ongoing global community of like-minded innovators
Who’s Backing This Vision?
The funding comes from some surprising bedfellows:
- Tech companies tired of the “move fast and break things” mentality
- Mindfulness organizations recognizing technology isn’t going away
- Philanthropic foundations focused on ethical innovation
Recent sponsors have included:
- A former Google exec’s Conscious Tech Initiative
- The Dalai Lama’s Science and Wisdom Foundation
- Several B Corps in the tech space
Why This Fusion Matters Now More Than Ever
The Dark Side of Our Digital Age
We’ve all felt it – that vague unease after hours of scrolling, the way our devices seem to pull at our attention. The data confirms what we sense:
- 72% of teens report feeling manipulated by social media designs (Common Sense Media)
- AI bias continues to disadvantage marginalized groups in hiring, lending, and policing
- E-waste from our upgrade culture could fill 4,500 Eiffel Towers annually
Yet when I mention “spiritual technology,” I still get eye rolls from some colleagues. “Isn’t that an oxymoron?” they smirk. Which brings me to…
What Spirituality Really Means in This Context
We’re not talking about making your laptop a sacred object (though hey, if that works for you…). It’s about:
- Intention: Why are we building this? Who truly benefits?
- Attention: How do our designs affect human psychology?
- Connection: Does this tech isolate or unite?
Real-World Examples That Inspire
The most exciting developments happen at this intersection:
- The “Right to Disconnect” Movement: Laws in France and Italy mandating work email cutoffs – recognizing our need for digital Sabbath
- Humane Tech Labs: Developing “attention-protective” interfaces that don’t exploit our psychology
- AI Ethics Boards: Now standard at major firms, often including philosophers and theologians
Who’s the Ideal Candidate? (Spoiler: It Might Be You)
Breaking Down the Eligibility
The selection committee looks for:
- Academic Track: Typically STEM students, but with a twist – they love applicants who’ve also studied philosophy, psychology, or ethics
- Demonstrated Values: This could be volunteer work, personal projects, or even your social media presence
- That Special Spark: The indefinable quality of someone who gets why this matters
Surprising Traits of Past Winners
After reviewing dozens of successful applications, I noticed patterns:
- Many kept analog journals alongside their coding notebooks
- Several had unusual double majors (e.g., Computer Science + Comparative Religion)
- Nearly all referenced a personal moment of reckoning with tech’s impact
Crafting an Application That Stands Out
The Essay: Your Make-or-Break Moment
The prompt usually asks something like: “How would you bridge technology and spirituality to create a better world?”
What Works:
- Personal stories (that time you realized tech was harming your mental health)
- Specific ideas (not just “AI should be ethical” but how you’d implement that)
- Authentic voice (they can spot buzzword bingo from a mile away)
What Flops:
- Generic platitudes about “changing the world”
- Overly technical jargon with no heart
- Regurgitating the sponsor’s mission statement back at them
Letters of Recommendation With Soul
The best letters:
- Come from someone who’s seen you wrestle with these issues
- Include specific examples (not just “they’re a hard worker”)
- Show your human side (yes, even for a tech scholarship)
Pro tip: Provide your recommenders with bullet points about projects or moments that reveal your unique perspective.
The Life-Changing Impact
Where Are They Now? Success Stories
Let me tell you about three remarkable recipients:
- Aisha M. (2020): Developed an AI therapist that adapts to cultural contexts – now being piloted in refugee camps
- Carlos R. (2021): Created a “digital wellbeing” dashboard that’s been adopted by two major smartphone makers
- Priya K. (2022): Founded an incubator for spiritually-grounded tech startups
The Ripple Effects
Beyond individual success, this community is shifting entire industries:
- New metrics: Companies are measuring “soulful engagement” alongside user retention
- Policy changes: Several alumni advise governments on ethical tech legislation
- Cultural shifts: The conversation about “conscious technology” is going mainstream
Spiritual Principles Reshaping Tech
Mindfulness in the Machine
Some fascinating developments:
- Meditation pods in Silicon Valley offices (yes, even at FAANG companies)
- “Pause features” being built into social platforms
- Attention-preserving UI designs becoming competitive differentiators
The New Ethics of AI
We’re moving beyond Asimov’s Three Laws to frameworks incorporating:
- Indigenous wisdom about relationality
- Judeo-Christian concepts of human dignity
- Buddhist understandings of suffering
Tech as a Spiritual Practice
Digital Asceticism Movements
Surprising trends among tech workers:
- Dumbphone conversions: Senior engineers switching to flip phones
- Email monasteries: Structured approaches to digital minimalism
- Coding as meditation: Some developers treat programming like a zen garden
Sacred User Experience
The most innovative designs now consider:
- Cognitive load as a spiritual issue
- Dark patterns as ethical violations
- Joyful interactions as a design imperative
Navigating the Challenges
Resistance You Might Face
Be prepared for:
- Eye rolls from traditional techies (“Soft skills are for HR”)
- Skepticism from spiritual communities (“Tech is the problem”)
- Funding hurdles (VCs still favor growth over ethics)
Avoiding the Pitfalls
Common mistakes well-intentioned innovators make:
- Vagueness: “Ethical AI” without implementation plans
- Elitism: Solutions only for the privileged
- Dogmatism: Rejecting all tech rather than reforming it
How to Get Involved Today
Start Small, Start Now
You don’t need the scholarship to begin:
- Audit your own tech use: What drains you? What nourishes?
- Join communities: Like the Center for Humane Technology
- Build prototypes: Even simple apps can reflect your values
Spread the Word
Change happens through:
- Classroom conversations: Challenge assumptions in your CS courses
- Social media: Share humane tech alternatives
- Everyday choices: Support companies walking the talk
Conclusion: Your Invitation to the Frontier
As I write this on a device that could either distract me for hours or connect me to wisdom across millennia, I’m reminded – the future isn’t predetermined. The “A Better World” Scholarship represents one of the most hopeful developments I’ve seen in years, precisely because it recognizes that our technological future needs soul as much as it needs silicon.
Whether you apply or simply let this idea percolate, I hope you’ll join in shaping technology that serves our humanity rather than eroding it. After all, the most important code we’ll ever write is the one for our collective future.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Do I need to be religious to apply?
Not at all! “Spirituality” here refers to universal human values – ethics, purpose, connection. The selection committee includes atheists, agnostics, and people of all faiths.
2. What if my tech skills are still developing?
They care more about your direction than your current expertise. Many winners were still learning when they applied.
3. How competitive is it?
Admission rates hover around 8-12%, but passionate, authentic applicants always have a shot.
4. Can I apply multiple times?
Absolutely! Many finalists applied more than once before being selected.
5. What’s the most surprising thing about recipients?
Their diversity – from hardcore coders to philosophy majors, all united by a vision for humane technology.
1 thought on ““A Better World” Spirituality and Technology Advancement Scholarship”