International Women’s Day Celebration: AI and Heritage — Honoring My Late Mother’s Wisdom
In every technological breakthrough, there’s a personal story of inspiration and struggle.
This is the story of Laleh AI, a groundbreaking project that not only pays tribute to the scholarly legacy of the late Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar but also carries forward a personal mission deeply rooted in the bond between a mother and her daughter.
What is Laleh AI?
Laleh AI is a groundbreaking ChatGPT-style platform developed to immortalize the wisdom and insights of the late Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar, a renowned Islamic studies scholar. Through this interactive AI, users can explore the realms of Islam, Sufism, the significance of Ramadan, and much more, in a way that is engaging and deeply insightful. For example, users can ask Laleh AI:
- Explain the gender-neutral aspects of the Quran as interpreted by Dr. Bakhtiar.
- What are Laleh’s views on women’s roles in spirituality?
- In what ways is Laleh’s translation of the Sublime Quran pioneering?
Dr. Bakhtiar’s scholarship has garnered high praise and respect, affirming her far-reaching influence on Islamic scholarship, feminist theology, and interfaith dialogue.
Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, a mentor to Bakhtiar and University Professor of Islamic Studies at The George Washington University, has noted Bakhtiar’s significant contributions to Sufi psychology, Islamic studies, comparative religion, and traditional Islamic teachings about feminine issues, including an Islamic response to secularized feminism.
Dr. Mohammad Faghfoory, Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in Islamic Studies at The George Washington University, emphasized Bakhtiar’s pioneering role in introducing new dimensions of the Islamic Science of the Soul and creating a bridge between it and modern psychology. He also praised her courage in breaking misconceptions and established views regarding gender issues in Islamic texts.
Delana Karimi-Tavakol has appreciated Bakhtiar’s work for its emphasis on the inherent equality of humans in accessing God and comprehending the divine, highlighting the transformative nature of “The Sublime Quran” in fostering a direct connection between God and the reader.
Laleh’s Roots and Resilience in America
The 1940s America, especially Los Angeles, presented a landscape of both opportunity and challenge. The era was characterized by economic growth spurred by the war, but also by social conservatism and a limited appreciation for cultural diversity. In this milieu, the Bakhtiar family, one of the few Iranian American families, endeavored to blend their Persian roots with American life.
Laleh’s upbringing in Los Angeles was under the influence of a strong female presence — her mother Helen, grandmother Nell, and sisters Lailee and Shireen. This environment, contrasting the prevailing domestic roles of women at the time, offered Laleh a narrative of empowerment and intellectual liberation.
A subsequent move to Washington D.C. and her parents’ marital challenges brought new changes. The Catholic Church became a sanctuary for her during this time, a place of solace and community. However, her family’s mobility meant frequent disruptions in friendships and settings, fostering Laleh’s resilience.
In Washington D.C., Laleh’s upbringing was shaped by the intellectual influence of her Iranian father and the empathetic strength of her American mother. The family home was a melting pot of cultures, where Laleh’s identity was molded by the narratives of Western literature and the moral lessons they imparted.
Laleh’s early Christian education in Washington D.C. Catholic schools laid the groundwork for her spiritual journey, which later found its destination in Islam. Her academic pursuits took her to Tehran University, where she studied under Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, exploring the depths of Sufism and Islamic philosophy, thus weaving together the diverse philosophical strands of her heritage.
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar: Legacy in Islamic Scholarship
The inception of Laleh AI, a collaboration between the Institute of Traditional Psychoethics and Guidance and TulipAI, was more than a technological endeavor; it was a personal mission. Following my mother’s passing in October 2020, this project became a way to keep her wisdom alive.
By 2020, Dr. Bakhtiar, was renowned for her gender-neutral translation of the Quran — ‘The Sublime Quran’, leaving behind a legacy of profound understanding in spirituality, ethics, and social justice. Her translation and work have shed new light on Islam, highlighting the themes of individual freedom, rational thought, and critical analysis.
The creation of a custom GPT like Laleh AI is a process that involves integrating a vast array of archival documents and scholarly resources. This includes a thorough compilation of Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar’s extensive scholarship, her notes, lectures, published books, and other academic contributions.
To bring Laleh AI to life, we digitized these materials, ensuring that every piece of knowledge she imparted was captured. We then fed these digitized resources into the AI model, training it to understand and respond in a manner that reflects her unique insights and perspectives.
This approach not only preserves the authenticity of Dr. Bakhtiar’s work but also ensures that Laleh AI can provide nuanced, informed responses, truly encapsulating the depth and breadth of her wisdom.
The result is an AI that doesn’t just mimic her knowledge, but one that also embodies her scholarly spirit, making her invaluable insights accessible to a global audience in a revolutionary way.
Using Laleh AI: A How-To Guide Laleh AI is user-friendly and accessible. Here’s how you can interact with it:
- Visit the Laleh AI experience (you need to have ChatGPT+)
- Type in a question or topic related to Dr. Bakhtiar’s work or Islamic studies in general.
- The AI will provide responses based on Dr. Bakhtiar’s extensive knowledge and publications.
You can ask questions like:
- How does the Sublime Quran differ from traditional interpretations?
- Describe Dr. Bakhtiar’s views on social justice in Islam.
- What advice would Dr. Bakhtiar give to women seeking empowerment through Islamic teachings?
Her passing from a rare blood disorder in October 2020 was not just a loss to the academic community but a personal tragedy for me. We were more than just mother and daughter; we were partners in a mission to ensure her wisdom could guide future generations.
On International Women’s Day, I invite you to explore Laleh AI, to engage with my mother’s teachings on gender equality, spirituality, and social justice. This project is a bridge between generations, a conduit for wisdom, and a tribute to our collective journey towards understanding and dignity.
Disclaimer: Laleh AI is an innovative, evolving project blending scholarly insights with AI technology. While dedicated to accuracy, we acknowledge its beta nature.
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