Artificial Intelligence and Religion Unit
Scholars of religion and theology add a crucial voice to the ethics of artificial intelligence. In keeping with this year’s conference theme, we seek papers that address how AI, religion, and theology together might enhance, limit, or complicate the concept of freedom at the intersection of religion and theology, and provide a social justice-oriented lens through which to explore artificial intelligence. We will have two sessions. One session will focus on theory and one on A.I. experiments. For our theory session, we seek papers that focus on human agency, and AI agents. What does agency mean and how might agency be changing in relation to AI? We are seeing the development of AI agents including computer agents able to perform tasks on computers and the internet, self-driving cars, AI voice assistants, semi-autonomous drones, and other warfare agents. Questions regarding moral responsibility, and what it means to be free, evoke reflections on accountability and what it means to be human. For example, if AI concierges can take the place of human travel assistants, how might this substitution not only affect job loss but also the relational connections between people? Community and moral responsibility have been significant religious and theological issues, and AI is adding complexity to these issues. How might religion and theology illuminate and add layers to agency in a technological world? We encourage proposals that address racialized, gendered, sexed, and/or differently abled perspectives. We welcome original papers that pose new questions.
Additionally, we seek proposals that show experiments using artificial intelligence in the study of religion. Scholars who are finding new applications for AI are encouraged to submit an abstract proposal even if their project is conceptual, in early stages, or ongoing. Follow-up reports on projects already presented are likewise welcome.
The study of religion and its interactions with culture has long been a crucial aspect of the humanities. As our world continues to evolve and change, it is more important than ever to understand the ways in which religion shapes and is shaped by the societies and cultures it exists within.
One area of our society that is currently undergoing rapid development is artificial intelligence (A.I.). As A.I. technology advances, it is increasingly likely that it will have a significant impact on religion, theologies, and religious studies. For this reason, it is important for religious studies scholars/theologians to carefully consider the ways in which A.I. might affect and be affected by religious practices, beliefs, and communities.
This unit provides a forum for scholars to engage in critical and interdisciplinary discussions of the ways in which A.I. is impacting religion and religious studies, as well as the ways in which religious language and concepts are used in discussions of artificial intelligence. By bringing together experts from a wide range of disciplines, this unit provides valuable insights into the complex and rapidly-evolving relationship between A.I. and religion.
| Chair | Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Randall Reed | reedrw@appstate.edu | - | View |
| Tracy J. Trothen, Queen's University | trothent@queensu.ca | - | View |