Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Christian Anthropology: where the concerns lie

Abstract

Many voices are raising concerns about the fast developments of AI and its rapidly extending applications. Religion and theology are learning to use these 'intelligent' systems as assistants in many tasks, taking advantage of their surprising performances. Every new technical development impacts society, culture, and the human condition, which becomes very sensitive towards these changes, affecting its constitution as embodied and embedded in its ambience and circumstances. The swift progress in AI invites us to rethink several anthropological categories because humans cannot be conceived as isolated or self-referential and self-made, as could be imagined in an earlier humanistic tradition, but as more integrated in their own social, cultural, and technical context, and more supported by external means. The big issue is whether such developments point towards the betterment of the human condition, as has been the case with many former technologies, or it means instead a risky move towards uncertain, but probably darker, consequences for human freedom, dignity, and excellence. Christian anthropology meets a challenge in this emerging field. It is called to rethink its traditional views to make a place for an unexpected element, somehow distorting old ideas, threatening a displacement of its functions and performance, and encouraging a more engaging reflection.

Many voices are raising concerns about the fast developments of AI and its rapidly extending applications. Religion and theology are learning to use these 'intelligent' systems as assistants in many tasks, taking advantage of their surprising performances. Every new technical development impacts society, culture, and the human condition, which becomes very sensitive towards these changes, affecting its constitution as embodied and embedded in its ambience and circumstances. The swift progress in AI invites us to rethink several anthropological categories because humans cannot be conceived as isolated or self-referential and self-made, as could be imagined in an earlier humanistic tradition, but as more integrated in their own social, cultural, and technical context, and more supported by external means. The big issue is whether such developments point towards the betterment of the human condition, as has been the case with many former technologies, or it means instead a risky move towards uncertain, but probably darker, consequences for human freedom, dignity, and excellence. Christian anthropology meets a challenge in this emerging field. It is called to rethink its traditional views to make a place for an unexpected element, somehow distorting old ideas, threatening a displacement of its functions and performance, and encouraging a more engaging reflection.