From fear to theosis : patristic reflections on artificial intelligence

Machidon, Octavian-Mihai (author)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already become a ubiquitous and autonomous force transforming our society and how humans interact with the world around them and each other. The staggering development and widespread of AI technology in the last decade raise debates on its evolution potential and social anxiety concerns about its detrimental effects. Techno-optimists expect AI to evolve into a sentient and conscious entity, reaching and surpassing humanlevel and thus challenging our understanding of the world and the fundamental principles of our society. This paper provides theological reflections on AI evolution and its effects on society and Christian spiritual life. It discusses the risks of AI hindering man’s spiritual ascent towards God by autonomously shaping man and society in its image, as expressed by advocates of technological determinism. Finally, it proposes an authentic and liberating Christian viewpoint on AI and today’s disruptive technologies by employing a patristic perspective.

• Language: English
• Keywords: artificial intelligence, technological determinism, theological anthropology, patristics, eschatology
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: TEOF - Theological Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2023
• Year: 2023
• Number of pages: Str. 379-389
• Numbering: Letn. 83, [št.] 2
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-164182
• UDC: 27-9"01/07":004.89
• ISSN on article: 0006-5722
• DOI: 10.34291/BV2023/02/Machidon
• COBISS.SI-ID: 174646787
• Publication date in RUL: 17.10.2024

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Bogoslovni vestnik : glasilo Teološke fakultete v Ljubljani
• Shortened title: Bogosl. vestn.
• Publisher: Teološka fakulteta
• ISSN: 0006-5722
• COBISS.SI-ID: 8745472

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Od strahu do teoze : patristična razmišljanja o umetni inteligenci

Abstract

Umetna inteligenca (UI) je že postala vseprisotna in avtonomna sila, ki spreminja našo družbo in način, kako ljudje komunicirajo s svetom okoli sebe in drug z drugim. Osupljiv razvoj in razširjenost tehnologije umetne inteligence v zadnjem desetletju sprožata razprave o njenem razvojnem potencialu, pa tudi zaskrbljenost družbe zaradi njenih škodljivih učinkov. Tehnooptimisti pričakujejo, da se bo UI razvila v čutečo in zavestno entiteto, ki bo dosegla in presegla raven človeka in tako izzvala naše razumevanje sveta ter temeljnih načel naše družbe. Prispevek prinaša teološki razmislek o razvoju UI ter njenih učinkih na družbo in krščansko duhovno življenje. Obravnava tveganja UI kot ovire za človekov duhovni vzpon k Bogu, saj človeka in družbo avtonomno oblikuje po svoji podobi – kar trdijo zagovorniki tehnološkega determinizma. O tem predlaga pristen in osvobajajoč krščanski pogled na umetno inteligenco in današnje prelomne tehnologije z uporabo patristične perspektive.

• Keywords: umetna inteligenca, tehnološki determinizem, teološka antropologija, patristika, eshatologija