Understanding Artificial Intelligence and Religion: Theoretical Explorations

This panel seeks to unravel the intricate web connecting Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the study and understanding of religion, shedding light on how AI impacts and is influenced by religious concepts, practices, and ethics. It brings together three distinct but interrelated explorations into this emerging field. The first segment addresses AI's role in compassionate care for dementia patients, reflecting on how the integration of technology in healthcare settings poses questions about compassion, identity, and the ethical dimensions informed by religious and cultural values. The second discussion explores an application to AI of Ann Tave's idea of 'special things'.  Is AI itself a special thing and how does AI as a special thing context other applications of specialness in things from art to conversation. The final presentation advocates for the application of AI in analyzing religious rituals, suggesting that AI can significantly enhance our understanding of religious expressions and practices through sophisticated, data-driven analyses. Together, these contributions aim to foster a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the intersections between AI and religion, encouraging scholars to consider the implications of technological advancements on religious studies and vice versa.