Jambrek, Stanko. "Christians Facing the Challenges of Artificial Intelligence." KAIROS: Evangelical Journal of Theology, vol. 18, no. 1, 2024, pp. 75–94. (original) (raw)

Christians Facing the Challenges of Artificial Intelligence

Kairos: Evangelical Journal of Theology, 2024

The development of artificial intelligence technology is, on the one hand, the fulfillment of God's task given to humanity (Genesis 1 and 2), and on the other hand, in humans' desire to be like God, it is a rebellion against God (Genesis 3:5). Therefore, Christians face numerous challenges in their relationship with artificial intelligence systems. These challenges can be categorized into two fundamental groups. The first group includes challenges where Christians have and will have the choice of responsible use of AI systems, while the second group consists of AI systems controlled by powerful corporations or by AI systems themselves. The text provides a brief introduction and overview of the levels of artificial intelligence development (ANI, AGI, and ASI) and the relationship of Christians towards them. The central part of the discussion is dedicated to the spiritual evaluation of AI systems and tools, especially those that have spiritual consequences in their application. The process of comprehensive spiritual evaluation must be rooted in the Word of God and guided by the Holy Spirit, and the quality of the spiritual evaluation of AI systems for Christians will come as a result of their daily relationship with God. Regarding artificial intelligence, the most important task of the church today and tomorrow is to train and educate believers in AI literacy and biblical-spiritual literacy so that they can independently and effectively make decisions in all situations involving the use of AI systems, machines, and applications. The final section of this article brings an evaluation of the development and application of AI concerning goals that oppose God, such as creating eternal life and god-like machines.

Artificial Intelligence (and Christianity): Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How

Studies in Christian Ethics, 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a high-profile subject these days. In its brief history it has undergone several highs and lows and suffered from significant degrees of hype as well as antagonism and fear. One thing is clear: we are no closer to the goal of producing a truly sentient being than when it started. Nonetheless, the tools developed by AI researchers are here to stay and as with all technological advances it has its good and bad aspects. In this article I will present a brief overview of the field of AI looking at what it is, how it developed, what are its specialism as well as some of its well-publicised successes, and failures, as well as pointing out some key Christian participants in the story.

The Contemporary Possibilities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence: A Theological Appraisal

Indian Journal of Family Studies, 2022

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a young field of research and scientific development. It concerns itself with the design and construction of machines with the ability to perform intelligent functions. AI tends to receive a negative portrayal in the media giving rise to the „Frankenstein Complex.‟ But AI is not inherently bad or evil. It is a kind of technology that is capable of great good and can possibly catapult human beings to a higher quality of existence. AI is not mere science fiction however, and is already present to us in small and large entities. The key question is: How are we really responding to it? This article begins with a description of the history and development of AI and concludes with a theological evaluation. AI does not strictly come under theology‟s purview but it does raise some pertinent issues which theology ought to be prepared to deal with.

Artificial intelligence and God: new religion for AI

2024

The aim of this paper is to recall and analyze often ignored fact that progress in artificial intelligence (AI) has elicited significant reflection within theological discussions, apart from all other technological and psychological consequences, triggering debates on the interface between technology and spirituality. The intersection of AI and spirituality introduces intricate ethical and philosophical questions that contest traditional views of faith and human-divine relationships. With AI technologies evolving swiftly, both scholars and theologians are scrutinizing the nuanced links between AI and religious thought. The notion of AI surpassing basic computational tasks to engage in profound spiritual interactions necessitates a reassessment of theological constructs. This confluence of technology and spirituality initiates a discussion on the transformative capacity of AI and its ability to redefine human interactions with the divine. Examining the complex relationship between AI and theology unveils possibilities that compel scholars to explore the uncharted territories of technological innovation and spiritual evolution, leading to profound reflections on the idea of a ´new religion´ for AI. The goal is to expose the possible implications of the development of AI on the selfhood and dignity of the human person in respect to the socialethical teachings of the Christianity in case a new ´artificial religion´ would appear.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Christian Perspective

The issues and concepts of providing machines that imitate or duplicate the function of the human brain, and sometimes fool humans have been the trend of the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This paper explains various schools of thought comparing machines to humans, as well as highlighting some basic limitations of AI. It presents a Christian biblical perspective that shows that intelligence or natural intelligence is a gift from God; who holds the answers to the mysteries or orders, coordination and cognition. Keywords: God, Man, Creation, Artificial Intelligence, Machine, Christian, Limitation

Easter Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence: A Christian Approach

A technique based on today's results of science is becoming dominant in almost all fields under the name Artificial Intelligence (AI). At Easter, some Christian-minded people gathered to discuss the impact, advantages, and dangers of Artificial Intelligence. The debate centered around the preservation or reinterpretation of the dogma of creation. If the dogma is valid-God is the only creator-then the creation of Artificial Intelligence cannot dominate man-there is no danger. But man is creative and has always 'created' things throughout his history that have no example in God's creations. Rather able to create such machine that may rule over the man? The danger does not lie in this, but in the bad intention, which is also human. What possibilities do we have for recognition and protection? This study deals with the relationship between Humans and AI from a scientific, rather than a technical, aspect.

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Religion: Reconciling a New Relationship with God

Political Science - United Nations & Global Policy Studies, 2019

Abstract One day, within the foreseeable future, there will be a synergy between human beings and machines. In other words, humans and machines will evolve to co-exist, assisting the other to make better decisions. No longer will there be the fear that artificial intelligence (AI) will become so powerful that it will destroy and replace humanity. AI engineers and scientists will build intuitive qualities into AI, and they will implement and train machines to have introspection, including showing compassion and empathy for all creatures on Earth. The machines of the future will be engineered to be benevolent, so long as they are kept out of the hands of those who intend to kill and spread discontent. The bigger question is whether God will survive the advancement of science. Certainly, AI will shape and challenge religious beliefs as we know them, transforming how humans turn to God and ancient scriptures to answer questions posed through the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, the Qur’an, and other sacred texts. There is a high probability that humanity will no longer look to these sources for what they seek. Instead, humans will ask these questions through the lens of science, forever reconciling a new and improved relationship with God.

Artificial Intelligence as a Testing Ground for Key Theological Questions

Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, 2022

Engagement with artificial intelligence (AI) can be highly beneficial for theology. This article maps the landscape of the various ways such engagement can occur. It begins by outlining the opportunities and limitations of computational theology before div- ing into speculative territory by imagining how robot theologians might think of divine revelation. The topic of AI and imago Dei is then reviewed, illustrating several ways AI can inform theological an- thropology. The article concludes with a more speculative take on the possible implications of AI for divine infinity, incarnation, theodicy, and demonic intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence in a Christian Perspective of Humanity and Personhood

International Dialogues on Education Journal

This article examines the notion of humanity and personhood in Artificial Intelligence (AI) from the Christian perspective. In general view, humanity is the human race collectively, while personhood is the state or fact of being a person, while for the Christian, personhood is an exhibition of the unity of the spiritual and corporeal in human existence that represents an essential characteristic of a human being. The concept is rooted in the Book of Genesis chapters one and two where God created man in His Image (Imago Dei) and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. AI on the other hand is a machine, but not a mere machine, since it has a purpose like a human being and also can evolve autonomously and unimaginably when it plugs into a network. Realizing this fact leaves a question of whether AI could hypothetically have personhood in the future, or if it already has since the beginning of its creation, even if it is only a minimal version of personhood. This exploration show...