Retired Biotech Expert Returns to Campus, Wins Award for AI-Created Religious Art
Lai Kuan-Lang, a 62-year-old retired biotechnology expert, won the Silver Award in the AI-Generated Art category at the UK's FADA Future Art & Design Awards. After retiring, Lai enrolled in a master's program at Huafan University and, in less than six months, created "The Inner Esoteric World of Taoism," a series of AI-generated artworks that visualize the abstract realms of Taoist practice. This achievement highlights the potential of AI in art and the value of lifelong learning.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 13:51
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(CNA reporter Hsu Chih-wei, Taipei, 19th) Retired biotech expert Lai Kuan-Lang, who returned to campus last year to enroll in a master's program for working professionals at Huafan University, has won the Silver Award in the "Artificial Intelligence Generated Art" category of the UK FADA "Future Art & Design Awards" spring competition for his series "The Inner Esoteric World of Taoism."
Huafan University issued a press release today stating that Lai has a distinguished career in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, holding a Master of Pharmacy from Taipei Medical University and a Ph.D. from the National Defense Medical Center's Graduate Institute of Life Sciences. Specializing in new drug development and health technology assessment, he was the founder of a tech consulting company, a director at a pharmaceutical company, and the vice president of new drug development for a publicly listed biotech company. He also served as an adjunct assistant professor at the National Defense Medical Center for nearly 20 years.
Lai said he has always been deeply interested in Buddhism and Taoism and began studying Thangka and ink painting in recent years. After retiring last year, he was inspired during a visit to a graduation exhibition for mature students at Huafan University and decided, along with his wife, to apply for the master's program for working professionals, leaving his illustrious career behind to become a student again.
Courses in Buddhist thanatology, esoteric mandalas, and other art and Buddhist art classes awakened a religious sentiment hidden deep within him. Lai decided to use AI's "digital alchemy" to visualize the ineffable and invisible realms of practice described in Taoist classics, allowing ancient wisdom of internal alchemy to be reborn in the digital age.
In less than six months from starting to learn AI drawing to submitting his work for competition, the 62-year-old Lai won the Silver Award in the "Artificial Intelligence Generated Art" category of the UK FADA "Future Art & Design Awards" spring competition with his series "The Inner Esoteric World of Taoism."
"The Inner Esoteric World of Taoism" is a series of 12 interconnected paintings depicting the various stages from worldly awakening to the completion of practice. A girl meditating in the vast void represents the modern soul seeking truth, while the meditator faces numerous challenges and new realms. A "spiritual cat" by their side, whose fur color changes to a mystical purple-gold, symbolizes the integration of consciousness and subtle vibrations occurring in sync with the practitioner.
Lai mentioned that he hopes this series will guide viewers through an interplay of light and shadow, overcoming numerous obstacles to rediscover the eternal path of self-cultivation, providing a sanctuary in the inner universe for anxious modern people. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150519
Huafan University issued a press release today stating that Lai has a distinguished career in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, holding a Master of Pharmacy from Taipei Medical University and a Ph.D. from the National Defense Medical Center's Graduate Institute of Life Sciences. Specializing in new drug development and health technology assessment, he was the founder of a tech consulting company, a director at a pharmaceutical company, and the vice president of new drug development for a publicly listed biotech company. He also served as an adjunct assistant professor at the National Defense Medical Center for nearly 20 years.
Lai said he has always been deeply interested in Buddhism and Taoism and began studying Thangka and ink painting in recent years. After retiring last year, he was inspired during a visit to a graduation exhibition for mature students at Huafan University and decided, along with his wife, to apply for the master's program for working professionals, leaving his illustrious career behind to become a student again.
Courses in Buddhist thanatology, esoteric mandalas, and other art and Buddhist art classes awakened a religious sentiment hidden deep within him. Lai decided to use AI's "digital alchemy" to visualize the ineffable and invisible realms of practice described in Taoist classics, allowing ancient wisdom of internal alchemy to be reborn in the digital age.
In less than six months from starting to learn AI drawing to submitting his work for competition, the 62-year-old Lai won the Silver Award in the "Artificial Intelligence Generated Art" category of the UK FADA "Future Art & Design Awards" spring competition with his series "The Inner Esoteric World of Taoism."
"The Inner Esoteric World of Taoism" is a series of 12 interconnected paintings depicting the various stages from worldly awakening to the completion of practice. A girl meditating in the vast void represents the modern soul seeking truth, while the meditator faces numerous challenges and new realms. A "spiritual cat" by their side, whose fur color changes to a mystical purple-gold, symbolizes the integration of consciousness and subtle vibrations occurring in sync with the practitioner.
Lai mentioned that he hopes this series will guide viewers through an interplay of light and shadow, overcoming numerous obstacles to rediscover the eternal path of self-cultivation, providing a sanctuary in the inner universe for anxious modern people. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150519