Artificial Intelligence: An Anthropological and Theological Investigation

Abstract

The dialogue between science and religion is a perennial question. Although the Church has a positive outlook towards scientific advancement there is hope as well as fear regarding the role of science in the mind of the believer. In this paper our attempt is to comprehend the advantages of the scientific leap, focusing on artificial intelligence. This understanding creates a new possibility for mutual enrichment of the two partners, namely science and theology. A dialogue between artificial intelligence (AI) and theology facilitates a more profound evaluation of the vital concepts in theological anthropology, namely, the problem of creation, problem of sin, as well as the ethical concerns regarding AI. The concept of imago Dei—the understanding of humans created in the image of God—can be applied to the scheme of AI especially when it is presented in a way that seriously takes the functional and performative character of both theological and scientific theories. In nutshell, we want to be optimistic about all human growth safeguarding the basic principle of human dignity and personhood.