Amid the rolling hills of California’s vineyard country is the estate of philanthropist Ann Lesley Smith, a sprawling sanctuary where Smith has cultivated a collection of prized Arabian horses. Though she tries not to play favorites, Smith absolutely has one horse that has not only captured her heart but that she believes could be a symbol of peace for the world.
Smith’s purebred Arabian stallion, Amir Fadjur Salaam, is a direct descendant of one of the most celebrated Arabian horses in history, The Fabulous Fadjur. Amir has carried on the tradition of the Arabian breed in both appearance and temperament, and Smith believes he can be a beacon for the world, instilling hope in a divided time and even inspiration for the future of empathetic AI technology.
Leader of light and peace
Like many people, Smith’s life has been defined by highs and lows. After the death of her husband, mogul and musician Chester Smith, she admittedly felt a bit adrift, but credits Amir with bringing about a period of renewal, light, and peace in her life. “His name translates loosely to ‘bringer (or leader) of light and peace,’ and he has certainly been that for me,” says Smith.
In a world that is grasping for symbols that can transcend what may be happening geopolitically, Amir’s story stands as a testament to gentleness, empathy, love, and connection that still matter and still have the power to move people.
A few years ago, Smith began inviting guests to her estate to ride among the free-roaming Arabians and to soak in the peacefulness of the location. It was the interaction with Amir that she found was most transformative.
“People would come here weighed down by grief, anxiety, or just exhaustion,” says Smith. “They would find softness in the presence of this rare Arabian stallion. It was as if his natural empathy could reach something deep inside of them.”
Bred over 4,500 years by Bedouin nomads, Arabian horses are known for their almost human-like empathetic nature. “They don’t dominate, and they have not been bred to be simple beasts of burden,” Smith explains. “They listen, they sense distress, and they lead through gentleness.”
For Smith, it is the kind of leadership and peaceful symbolism that the world could use more of.
Connection in a disconnected age
Peace, Smith acknowledges, is not just an abstract idea but an ideal that can be created, felt, and shared. Amir has become not only her own personal ambassador of peace, but one she feels could have a wider impact on the world.
“The Arabian horse has long been considered a gift of the desert in Arab culture,” explains Smith. “A symbol of nobility and divine grace.” There is an enduring belief that the horse’s gentle, human-like nature can bridge not only East and West, but faith and science, humanity and nature, and bring about needed authenticity.
In times that may seem irreparably divided and disconnected, Smith believes that Amir’s story can remind people that peace and connection begin with empathy. “His strength reminds people that harmony and understanding are not weaknesses,” says Smith.
Smith also strongly believes that the Arabian horse’s legacy and breeding can be a workbench for technological advancements, especially regarding personal AI tech.
“Today’s innovators are looking for ways to make AI technology more human-like, with empathy and understanding,” says Smith. “The Bedouin tribes figured out how to ‘upload’ empathy and understanding into Arabian horses thousands of years ago. I believe we can learn from that. If AI developers truly want machines that understand humanity, they need to look toward the Arabian horse.”
Through work with the people who visit her estate seeking a reset and peaceful rest, to ideas for the betterment of artificial intelligence, Smith sees great potential in Amir. “It’s unexpected, and I like the unexpected,” she says.
Purebred Arabian horses and pure authenticity
Smith notes that while things may seem very synthetic these days, from the way we heal to the way we communicate with others, the Arabian horse remains a symbol of deep authenticity. It is a symbol she wants to share with the world.
Amir is not just Smith’s prized stallion; he is her constant reminder that hearts can be healed, worries can be eased, and divisions can be mended through understanding and empathy. In Amir’s eyes, Smith sees a vision of what we all could be someday — peaceful, connected, and healed.
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